PANJIM: The ongoing beef shortage in the State has now gained political colour, with the opposition Congress picking up the cudgels and alleging a conspiracy against the minorities by the BJP-led government in Goa at the behest of NGO – Gau-Raksha Abhiyan.
Pointing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent move to circulate a bill banning cow slaughter, Congress has alleged it as a first step towards converting India into a “Hindu Rashtra.” The bill would be shortly sent to state governments for their comments.
Addressing media persons, Goa Pradesh Congress Committee General Secretary Agnelo Fernandes alleged that the ongoing shortage of beef is a conspiracy by the government against the minorities. “The game is being played by using the Gau-Rakhsa Abhiyan, an NGO that was an initiative of former Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar,” he said.
The former Calangute MLA said that like the mining industry, government has now put the livelihood of Muslim and Catholic beef traders and suppliers in jeopardy. “NGOs are used to ban all illegal as well as legal business,” he alleged, questioning as to why the NGO does not act against stray cattle and cows.
The Congress leader also wanted to know if the hygiene and cruelty are the two aspects for which cow slaughter is not allowed, then why the NGO and government is silent on the cruelty to chickens, goats and pigs.
“This is nothing but a clear conspiracy against minorities by the Central and State governments. The BJP government is acting against minorities in all those States that are ruled by them,” Fernandes alleged.
Congress party has decided to meet the traders over the issue. Some 60 meat traders and more than 100 meat sellers all over the State have, since last week, shut shop due to the shortage. The State currently requires 30 to 50 tons of beef per day, depending on the season.
