The Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), the youth wing of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), is organising a nationwide "beef festival" to protest by the Maharashtra government's ban on the sale and consumption of beef.
According to DYFI national president and Lok Sabha member M B Rajesh, although the dates have not been finalised, the programme is likely to be launched in April. As part of this, seminars would be organised and beef dishes served at these events, he said.
Reports say the festival has already started in some parts of Kerala.
However, organising a nation-wide programme on a massive scale is a tall order for DYFI, which doesn't have a national presence. According to sources, the DYFI's main focus will be Kerala and the festival is a tool to reach out to the minority communities. Rajesh has ruled out organising the festival in Maharashtra.
"The ban should be viewed in a larger national context. Ban on beef is undemocratic, as it is consumed by minorities and lower castes. On the one hand, the government has been pushing its pro-corporate agenda such as insurance law and land Bill; on the other, it has been taking steps that would polarise the society," said Rajesh.
According to the DYFI leader, there is historical evidence to prove ancient Hindus ate beef and that there is no religious significance associated with beef.
"A cow slaughter ban has been on the agenda of the Sangh Parivar. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also talked against the pink revolution in his election campaigns," Rajesh noted.
On the Supreme Court directive that all states should take steps to ban cow slaughter, he said, "Courts cannot decide on the culinary habits of the people and we don't have any plans to approach courts. We will take it to the people." He added he would raise the issue in Parliament as well.
On possible opposition to organising such events in certain states, he said: "We will see when it comes."
