Kuzholuzo Nienu, Member of Nagaland Legislative Assembly and Leader of NPF Legislator Party, has expressed objection to the ‘Gau Dhwaj Sthapana Bharat Yatra’ program which is scheduled to be held in Kohima on 28th September 2024 and condemned the imposition of choice of food on citizens.

The ‘Gau Dhwaj Sthapana Bharat Yatra’ is part of the ‘Gau Pratishtha Andola’ which seeks to make India free of cow slaughter. The Yatra will commence on 22nd September 2024 and will visit the capitals of all Indian States and Union Territories.

Read more: Movement for ban of cow slaughter in India to reach Kohima on 28th Sep

In a press release, MLA Nienu stated that “these kind of imposition on citizens which tantamount to infringement of freedom of individual rights to choice of food” and reminded of the Beef Festival organised by the NPF members in 2017 in protest of the attempted nationwide beef ban.

Nienu claimed that the owners of the biggest Indian beef exporting companies that send their products to the Middle Eastern Countries are Hindus and urged the “so-called Gau Rakshaks in the mainland States to first clean up their home states”.

He criticised the “hypocrisy of imposition of cow slaughter in beef eating states in India especially NE Region” while highlighting the following:

– India ranks 5th in the world in terms of meat production. The total meat production in the country is 9.77 Mn Tonnes in the year 2022-23.

– The top 5 meat producing States are Maharashtra (12.25%), Uttar Pradesh (12.14%), West Bengal (11.63%), Andhra Pradesh (11.04%) and Telangana (10.82%).

– Hindu businessmen are among the largest beef suppliers in India.

The ‘four largest beef exporters’ who are Hindus include:

1) Al-Kabeer Exports Pvt. Ltd.

Owner name: Mr. Shatish & Mr. Atul Sabharwal

Add: 92, Jolly makers, Chembur Mumbai 400021

2) Arabian Exports Pvt. Ltd.

Owner’s name: Mr. Sunil Kapoor

Add: Russian Mansions, Overseas, Mumbai 400001

3) M.K.R Frozen Food Exports Pvt. Ltd.

Owner’s name Mr. Madan Abott.

Add: MG road, Janpath, New Delhi 110001

4) P.M.L Industries Pvt. Ltd.

Owner’s name: Mr. A.S Bindra

Add: S.C.O 62-63 Sector -34-A, Chandigarh 160022

Furthermore, the Nagaland Nienu extended support and solidarity with the statement by the Arunachal Students Union recently about their objection to imposition on food habits program initiated by the ‘Gau Dhwaj Sthapana Bharat Yatra program’.