After the Students’ Federation of India (SFI), Kerala set up beef stalls, as a form of protest against the Centre’s regulations on the sale of beef, the SFI’s Karnataka wing, is organising a beef fest in Bengaluru on Monday.
The event “Mooment Bengluru” will begin at 4:30 pm, at the Puttannachetty Townhall. However, the feast will begin at 6:45 adhering to Ramzaan fast breaking time.
According to the event organiser, Vyshakh Thaliyil, “The SFI, DYFI and students of Bengaluru are organising this event. Protestors can bring their own beef if they want and there will also be a few beef stalls which we will set up,”
“Of course, there will be opposition to our protest. We do expect a fallout but we have police protection,” Varkey Parakkal, organiser of the event had posted on his page.
Reacting strongly to the Karnataka government’s opposition to the Centre’s new rules and the students’ movement in Kerala, Chikkamagaluru MLA, C T Ravi, took to Twitter and lashed out at the idea of a beef fest.
“What kind of deranged and twisted minds want to organise a beef fest and slaughter innocent cows just to make a political statement?” CT Ravi’s tweet reads.
What kind of deranged & twisted minds want to organize a #BeefFest & slaughter innocent cows just to make a political point? #StopBeefFest
— C.T.Ravi (@CTRavi_BJP) May 29, 2017
He called for Bengaluru City Police Commissioner, Praveen Sood, to put a stop to the event.
Request @CPBlr to stop this event as this is not only against the law but also a very sensitive subject. #StopBeefFest at any cost. pic.twitter.com/RV1cZU5E7s
— C.T.Ravi (@CTRavi_BJP) May 29, 2017
Denying that any permission was granted for the beef fest, DCP Central Chandragupta requested the city residents to refrain from succumbing to rumours.
"No permission given for any protest or beef fest at Town hall today. Pl don't heed to rumours. We suggest people to refrain visiting there," he tweeted.
No permission given for any protest or beef fest at Town hall today. Pl don't heed to rumours. We suggest people to refrain visiting there.
— Dr.Chandragupta, IPS (@DCPCentralBCP) May 29, 2017
The BJP leaders also submitted is also going to submit a memorandum to DCP Chandragupta, demanding the cancellation of the beef fest.
Stating that the permission was obtained for a protest and not a beef fest, Varky Prakkal said that the SFI and DYFI had obtained the permission letter from the ACP on Sunday.
"The media is portraying this event as a beef fest. It is not. It is a protest against the new rules imposed by the Centre regaring the sale of beef. We do have permission for the protest," Parakkal added.
Ravi’s tweets come just a day after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah opposed the ban on the sale of beef.
“It is not binding on the state to implement the Centre’s curbs on sale of cattle for slaughter as it is a state subject,” Siddaramaiah had said.
However, the CM said that the state would respond only after examining the newly notified rules.
The state’s law minister T B Jayachandra also opposed the move.
Jayachandra said that restrictions should be placed in coherence with the views of Mahatma Gandhi instead of targeting a particular community.
On Saturday, Kerala witnessed a number of beef festivals across the state conducted by different political organisations that were protesting against the central government's new rules under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
SFI had organised beef festivals in all districts at their different units.
"We do expect a fallout at the protest as the BJP has quite a strong presence in Bengaluru," Vyshakh said.