Elderly Muslim Heckled for Allegedly Selling Beef in Assam

New Delhi: An elderly Muslim man was heckled and abused by a mob for allegedly selling beef in Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled Assam on Sunday. The victim, Shaukat Ali, was also allegedly forced to eat pork as punishment by the mob in Biswanath Chariali town, according to an NDTV report. Meanwhile, police have detained at least five people after a video went viral on social media platforms.

In the viral video, Ali (68) is seen on his knees, surrounded by a mob who is heard asking him if he was a Bangladeshi citizen and whether his name has been included in National Register of Citizens (NRC). The mob can be heard asking Ali if he has a license to sell beef. The incident reportedly took place on April 7 at a weekly market in Assam where Ali runs an eatery that also sells meat.

Incidentally, selling beef is not banned in Assam. A large section of people in the North-East consume beef regularly.

According to the district police, two complaints had been filed. One was filed by Ali’s family members and the other was filed by the market’s manager. Ali sells rice and meat twice a week and on other days he sells religious books, veils etc., said reports

“We picked up five people, including two market committee leaders, in a bid to disperse the mob. They were allowed to go after signing a good behaviour bond under Section 107 of Code of Criminal Procedure,” a district administration official told The Hindu.

Assam’s Cattle Preservation Act, 1950, allows the slaughter of cows only over 14 years of age or those incapable of breeding. As per the Act, a fitness for slaughter certificate (loosely referred to as a license) must be granted by a veterinary doctor. However, consuming or selling beef is not a cognisable offence in the state.

Second Beef-Related Incident

This is the second such incident in Assam since the BJP came to power in the state. In April 2017, Jorhat police had arrested three people, including a minor, for possessing beef meant for consumption following a complaint by a local BJP leader, accusing them of hurting the religious sentiments. They were later released as possessing beef for consumption is not a criminal offence under the state’s Cattle Preservation Act.

Monday’s incident created a stir on social media across India with politicians and members of civil society reacting in anger. CPI-M MP Md Salim wrote on Twitter, “Firstly, beef is legal for consumption with ‘fit-for-slaughter’ certificate in Assam, it’s not illegal. In places like Kokrajhar 10 different non-Muslim communities eat Beef. These goons don’t care about cows, they just need an excuse to unleash their hatred for the Muslims.”

Elections Around the Corner

Biswanath where the incident took place on Sunday, under the Tezpur Lok Sabha constituency, goes to polls in the first phase on April 11. Ram Prasad Sarmah of BJP is currently MP from the constituency. According to The Hindu, 10 candidates are in the fray but the fight is between Minister Pallab Lochan Das of BJP and retired IAS officer M.G.V.K. Bhanu of Congress.

(With inputs from news agencies.)