People's Democratic Party spokesman Waheed-ur-Rehman Para on Thursday condemned the ban on beef in the state of Jammu and Kashmir by the high court, adding that it is better to let the public decide on what to eat and what not to eat.
"It is a big debate going on whether a state government should interfere into the people's right to food." he said.
Para told ANI, "As far Kashmir is concerned, we are a 5000-year-old civilisation and people know what eating sensitivities are. It is very controversial to define eating habits in a place of religious diversity."
Jammu and Kashmir joined a long list of states that have outlawed the sale of beef.
The ban was imposed by the Jammu and Kashmir High Court in response to a public interest litigation against cow slaughter.