Amit Shah to states ruled by BJP: Draw curtains on beef ban row

BJP chief Amit Shah.

BJP president Amit Shah has urged party-ruled states across the country to work towards pulling curtains down on the beef ban controversy, sources within the party have revealed. Highly placed sources in BJP told The Indian Express, “It was made clear that a law prohibiting cow and cattle slaughter was already in place. And there is no reason why it needs to be continuously kept on boil.”

A senior office bearer of the party said, “The developments in recent months related to beef ban controversy has dented the image of the party and the government.” Several party leaders at the state level have complained to the central leadership against hardliners within their respective governments who are unwilling to move on any agenda other than the beef ban, he said.

The office bearer added: “The PM too has conveyed that the controversy was eclipsing the development plank of BJP-led governments at the Centre and in the states.”

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Also, alliance partners in the states where BJP is part of the ruling combine—Akali Dal, Shiv Sena and PDP—have publicly expressed their concern regarding the beef ban controversy. The BJP office bearer said this too had played a role in bringing about the change in party’s stance. Sources said the PM had made his displeasure regarding the beef controversy known to Shah after receiving inputs from state governments and independent organisations.