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.
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.
