Don’t impose dietary curbs: BJP ally in NE

The ruling Nagaland People’s Front (NPF) in Nagaland has asked the BJP-led government at the Centre to refrain from imposing restrictions on the dietary habits of the people.

A resolution in this regard was adopted at the central executive council (CEC) meeting of NPF at Dimapur on Wednesday. The BJP is a minor partner of the NPF-led Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) government in the state.

“The CEC resolves to urge the (state) government to take up with the central government to desist from imposing restrictions on the dietary habits of the people,” said a statement issued by the party.

This is the first time the ruling party in Nagaland has taken an official stand on Centre’s notification banning cattle trade in animal markets for the purpose of slaughter.

Despite assurances by senior BJP leaders that there would be no curbs on food habits, opposition to the notification continues in Christian-dominated Nagaland, Meghalaya and Mizoram, where consumption of beef is common.

Assembly elections are due in all three states, where consumption of beef is common, next year.

“The culinary preferences of the Naga people, along with their traditional, religious and customary practices (should not be) infringed upon by any unilateral decision of the central government,” the resolution added.

NPF is part of the BJP-led antiCongress front, North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA), and also the partner of the saffron partyled government in Manipur.