SRINAGAR, KASHMIR: Legislators of Indian ruling Hindu nationalist party in Kashmir kicked and punched an independent member of the state assembly for hosting a party where beef was served.
Slaughtering cows is banned in most Indian states including Muslim-majority states.
from India’s ruling Hindu nationalist party in Kashmir kicked and punched an independent member of the state assembly on Thursday for hosting a party where he served beef.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members beat Muslim legislator Rashid Ahmed in the assembly soon after its session began Thursday. Television video showed Ahmed hitting back at a BJP member while officials intervened to separate the fighting lawmakers. Other opposition members rescued Ahmed and later staged a walkout.
The ruling party lawmakers were angry over a party hosted by Ahmed the previous night at which beef was served.
Differences have deepened within Kashmir’s ruling coalition, with the Hindu nationalist party demanding a ban on slaughtering cows and selling beef in the Muslim-majority state.
Since Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a Hindu nationalist, took office last year, hard-line Hindus have been demanding that India ban beef sales. Most beef sold across India is buffalo meat.
There has been outrage across India after a 50-year-old Muslim man was beaten to death by a mob last week over rumors that his family had eaten beef for dinner.
