Meat ban: Left terms it violation of fundamental rights

Taking strong objection to meat ban imposed by some BJP-ruled states on account of a Jain festival, Left parties today termed it as violation of fundamental rights and asked governments to ensure they don't dictate what a person should eat.
Left parties accused RSS of trying to impose Hindutva values on other communities, an idea which they likened to "cultural fascism".
"CPI is of the opinion that state should not dictate what a person should eat and when to consume. Such type of acts based with narrow partisan attitude with definite political motives creates social disharmony. The governments must refrain from such acts," CPI general secretary S Sudhakar Reddy said in a statement.

CPI(M) denounced the decision saying it is a growing instance of violation of Constitutional fundamental rights of personal life, freedom and liberty of Indian citizens.
"This is an integral part of the RSS design to impose Hindutva values and create communal polarisation," it charged.
CPI(ML) maintained the ban is "outrageous" and that the decision is a "warning bell" of what is in store culturally.

"The idea that vegetarian diet will be imposed on others is absolute cultural fascism. When other communities have dietary restrictions, they are not imposed on others. Someone maybe fasting during Ramazan, but not all are forced to fast," CPI(ML) politburo member Kavitha Krishnan reacted.

BJP-ruled states like Maharashtra and Rajasthan have ordered ban on sale of meat during the Jain festival of Paryushan - a decision which has created controversy especially in a city like Mumbai.
In Maharashtra, the ban, imposed since yesterday, will continue for three more days.
The Rajasthan Government has put restriction on sale of meat and fish on September 17, 18 and 27.
In Jammu and Kashmir, High Court has ordered ban on sale of beef, triggering angry reactions by locals and organisations like Jamaat-e-Islami and Hurriyat Conference.
The CPI(M) demanded PDP-BJP combine in Jammu and Kashmir to contest the order through judicial process, keeping in mind sentiments, habits and traditions of locals.