Bid to restrict eating habits with ban says Chennai's Non-veg community

The action of the Union Government amending the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Markets) Rules 2017 has angered non-vegetarians across the city who feel that the Narendra Modi government is unnecessarily interfering in their personal eating habits. 

“While the Act does not ban beef and does not specifically mention bull, buffaloes or cows, use of words like horns (only bulls, buffaloes and rams possess them) make it clear that it is a move to change eating patterns of people who are primarily non-vegetarian,” said R Umesh, a college lecturer.

Mohammed Abbas, a city-based beef seller said that not only will it render the numerous people involved in the trade superfluous, it will also create a situation where the prices of other products like chicken and mutton going costlier. 

Restaurateur and industry expert Nikhil Moturi said, “While most mainstream restaurants will not be affected, speciality and high-end restaurants will be impacted, as they have beef on the menu to cater to international guests. Smaller joints will be severely impacted. This ruling could lead to lack of availability causing meat shortage.”