Kashmir BJP leader to host 'beef party' in defiance of HC order

Defying High Court's order to implement a ban on sale of beef, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader in Kashmir Khursheed Ahmad Malik, said that he is hosting a 'beef party' to promote 'religious tolerance' in the state.

"I have this mindset that we live in a state where people reside from all the religions and this order is an attempt of communal divide. I want to give message that we are united and we all will work together," Malik told ANI here.

"I am showing my protest though this party and I know this decision is against the majority, but we have to send the voices of people to the government," he added.

The recent court order came on a PIL filed by Jammu lawyer Parimoksh Seth, now the state's Deputy Advocate General. There has been a ban on the slaughter of bovines and sale of beef in J-K since the days before the Partition, but it was never implemented strictly.

On Friday, the meat ban in Maharashtra was reduced from four to two days by the state government after it was reprimanded by the Bombay High Court .