Gogoi Refuses to Impose Ban on Meat, Calls it 'Retrogressive'

GUWAHATI: Stating that ban on sale of meat is a retrogressive step, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today said his government will not impose it.

The ban on sale of meat by some states is a retrogressive step as it violates the rights of the people to eat whatever food they like, Gogoi said. "Our Government will not impose any ban on sale of meat in any form," he said in a statement.

^{Also Read: MNS Workers Put up Non-veg Food Stall Outside Jain Society}

The chief minister described the ban as decline from a better to a worse state as "people have the right to choose the food they prefer to eat." However, Gogoi said, his statement should not construed as promotion of non-vegetarianism.

"A vegetarian has the same right as a non-vegetarian to eat whatever food he or she prefers," he said. Some BJP ruled states have imposed a ban on sale of meat in view of a Jain festival for varying days this month.

Stories related to meat ban across the country: - Meat Ban a Battle Between Promoters of Faith and Those Diluting it in Name of Freedom - Haryana Becomes Fifth BJP-ruled State to Ban Meat - BMC Chickens Out, Ban to Go - Fish Dies When Out of Water, No Death Due to Slaughter: Government    - Ban on Sale of Meat Violation of Fundamental Rights: CPI(M) - Ban on Sale of non-veg Items on Jain Festival in Ludhiana - Now, Jammu and Kashmir High Court's Beef Ban Order Gets Locals' Goat