Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee State Legal Department convenor, advocate Rabi Khan demanded the state government revoke the controversial directive, failing which the Congress party would approach the high court.
TFM Report
Congress took serious note of the controversial directive by the superintendent of police of CID (CB) and the sudden announcement of total curfew days ahead of Bakrid or Eid al-Adha and questioned the “sequence of events”.
During a press briefing on Friday, Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee State Legal Department convenor, advocate Rabi Khan demanded the state government revoke the controversial directive issued on July 13 regarding slaughtering and transportation of animals in view of Bakrid. He warned that if the directive is not revoked, the Congress party will move the High Court of Manipur in this regard.
Maintaining that the directive was unfortunate, Rabi Khan questioned the authority of an SP in interfering with the food habits of a particular religion or community. He maintained that the directive defies “secularism” as mentioned in the preamble of the Constitution of India.
Stating that laws on cruelty against animals are adopted all over the world, he questioned why it was brought up just days ahead of a festival of a particular religion. If the state government is really serious on the issue then such directives should be enacted throughout the year for all the religions, he added.
Recalling that many have lost their lives in the past few years on such matters in other states of the country ruled by the BJP, Rabi Kahn warned that the recent controversial directive might lead to communal tensions in Manipur as well.
Rabi Khan further maintained that the clarification issued by Manipur police on Thursday created more confusion. It had clarified that the directive was not directed against any particular religion. But, Rabi Khan wondered if there were any festivals between July 19 and 21, as mentioned in the directive.
“The clarification is not satisfactory,” he asserted.
Rabi Khan further questioned the logic of imposing more stringent measures, despite the curfew and other restrictions in place at present, just days ahead of Bakrid.
Chief Minister N Biren Singh had asserted that state forces, Assam Rifles, CRPF, etc would be deployed during the total curfew as if a combing operation is going to be conducted to hunt insurgents or terrorists, Rabi Khan said.
Besides, how will the relatives and family members stationed in different parts of the state come home to celebrate Bakrid, he said, adding this sequence of events have created apprehension amongst the Muslim community.