Beef found in biryani samples, we're not against Muslims: Anil Vij

Facing flak over the biryani checks in Mewat ahead of Eid, Haryana minister Anil Vij on Saturday said all seven samples were found containing beef and questioned how the Opposition which had backed the law banning cow slaughter could object to its implementation.

Insisting that the issue should not be linked to a particular community, he said, "We are not against Muslims", and added that samples can be lifted from anywhere in the state and not just Mewat to implement the law.

The minister said a proper process was followed to collect samples of biryani and test them for beef in a state laboratory.

"All seven biryani samples tested positive for beef. The tests were conducted at the laboratory in Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and the Animal Sciences, Hisar.

"The samples were lifted under the supervision of a veterinary surgeon. A proper procedure was followed to test them. The tests were conducted by an expert. She has submitted her report," Vij said.

Lashing out at the opposition, he said they were politicising the issue.

"The government is implementing the law of the land and the move should not be linked to any particular community or religion. We are not against Muslims," he said.

"We enacted a law. Congress and all other parties also passed it. Now, if we take any action to protect that law, they try to rake up a controversy," he alleged.

"The opposition parties want to politicise the issue, which is very wrong...They are trying to disturb peace and brotherhood for their vested interests," the Health Minister alleged.

Vij was reacting to the remarks of Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala who had on Friday alleged that the whole controversy "being generated" over beef in Mewat reflected "a sinister conspiracy" to target and persecute people belonging to a particular religion.

"Now, another controversy being raked is that the presence of beef cannot be confirmed in samples of cooked food. This is wrong. It takes time. There is different method for testing cooked food samples," the Minister said.

"The samples were collected based on specific inputs. It is not Mewat in particular, we can lift samples from anywhere if there is suspicion," he said.

The state government had last year enacted the Haryana Gauvansh Sanrakshan and Gau Samvardhan Act, making cow slaughter punishable with rigorous imprisonment up to 10 years and a fine of Rs 1 lakh.