I am a vegetarian by practice, but I am deeply hurt and shocked by the ban imposed by the Maharashtra government on beef consumption (“ >Maharashtra beef traders may move SC ,” March 5). The government has no right to enter the kitchen of a citizen and advise him on what he should or should not eat. If it is the idea of the government that vegetarianism should be promoted on health grounds, then it should ban all meat, and also fish. The beef ban appears to be nothing but a blatant attempt to promote a right-wing agenda. For the poor, beef is the only affordable red meat.
T. Anand Raj,
Chennai
The ban is unfortunate and politically motivated and will destroy the economy of thousands of families who depend on it for their livelihood. If there are no political or religious motives, then why doesn’t the government ban the eating of mutton and chicken too? Why not ban fish as well, then?
K. Muhammed Ismayil,
Kozhikode
