Bombay High Court verdict on beef gives no relief to local sellers

Mumbai Beef Dealers Association has decided to move the Supreme Court after the Bombay high court gave its verdict on the beef ban, which, instead of giving relief to local beef sellers, allows transportation from other states.

Mohammad Quraishi of Mumbai Beef Dealers Association said that the HC’s new order has given relief to beef buyers. “Earlier, carrying even buffalo meat was difficult in the state and if one got caught carrying it, one had to go through the entire legal process. However, the new order won’t give relief to local sellers and will affect their business. Hotels which had famous mutton and buffalo meat dishes can now fearlessly continue their business,” he said.

The HC on Friday ruled that possessing beef in Maharashtra was not illegal, relaxing a law that banned slaughter of cows, bulls and bullocks in the state. The order allowed possession of beef in the state and put the onus on the police to prove whether the beef came from cow, bull or bullock in the state. The court also said that if a person was found to possess beef, he did not have to prove to the police that it was not from cattle slaughtered in Maharashtra. Meanwhile, a Malad-based meat seller claimed that it would be very difficult for the police to verify whether the meat was beef or not.

Champak Lal Vardhan of Bharat Jain Mahamandal welcomed the court order and said that religious sentiments that were initially hurt had got first aid with the court order and the country would now go ahead with the belief of “Ahimsa”.

Mr Vardhan said that presently, there is no provision for sheds for stray cows and soon, a meeting of all committee members would be held where a decision about providing shelter to cattle would be taken as cattle needed adoption and care in the country.

Motilal Oswal of Jain International Trade Organisation said that the court order was not practical and people would find a way to bring beef but the vegetarian Jain community felt that it hurt their religious sentiments.