Beef ban row likely to dominate J&K Assembly today

The issues of beef ban and rehabilitation of flood victims are expected to dominate the eight-day Autumn session of the J&K Assembly, beginning Saturday.

The session is set to be a stormy affair as opposition parties are geared up to corner the seven-month-old PDP-BJP coalition government on many issues, especially the controversial beef ban issue and delay in <g data-gr-id="21">rehabilitation</g> of flood victims.

The National Conference, CPI(M) and independent MLA Sheikh Abdul Rashid have submitted separate bills seeking revocation of a 150-year-old law that criminalises cow slaughter in the state.

The issue of <g data-gr-id="18">beef</g> ban came to fore after a division bench of High Court in Jammu last month directed the state to strictly implement the ban in the state as per the law. The ruling evoked strong resentment from various quarters with many separatist and religious organisations terming it as 

“interference in religious affairs” and sought revocation of the law, besides pressing for implementation of ban on liquor in the state.

A counter petition was filed in the High Court here, which sought directions to revoke the law. Yesterday, the HC directed the government to file its response in three weeks.