Osmania University Students Plan Beef Fest to Re-ignite Debate

HYDERABAD : At a time when the debate over consumption of beef seems to die down across the country, students of Osmania University have decided to re-ignite the simmering debate in a bid to bring back the issue to the spotlight.

Student groups at the varsity have been organising “beef festival” for the last three years on campus, despite it triggering a violence in 2012. On Thursday, they announced December 10 as the date for this year’s event.

Under the banner “Save food democracy”, groups affiliated to the Left parties as well as Dalit, Tribal and minority organisations at Osmania University have come together to register their protest against the rising intolerance.

Students organisations from English and Foreign Languages University (EFLU) and University of Hyderabad(UOH) have extended support to the protest. 

All India Students Federation (AISF) state secretary RN Shanker claimed that they are not politicising the issue. “We are using the platform to sensitise people about the need to oppose the move to ban consumption of beef.” According to him, more than 50 per cent of Indians eat beef as it is the poor man’s meat. ( It’s amazing to understand how Shankar finds Beef as the only source of survival for 50 percent of Indians. This looks like a plot by the AISF to slaughter cows – Editor, HJS Website )

“When they object to a person’s food habit, who is hurting sentiments? Incidents of terrorising people in the name of food habits has created a sense of unity among the lower realm of society,” he claimed.

Student leaders pointed out that the “beef festival” should not be mistaken as a merry making event or a carnival.

“Beef is part of our natural food and we condemn Hindutva forces dividing the country on the basis of food habits. Any child will say attacks on beef eaters have risen manifold since Narendra Modi has come to power. We are uniting to resist these attacks,” added Vishnu of the Progressive Democratic Students Union(PDSU).

As part of the event, students will hold a seminar at Arts College to educate people about the health benefits of beef on November 20. (Health benefits ? Infact studies show that consumption of red meat only leads to colon cancer ? Editor, HJS Website) Further, on November 30, a poets’ meet would be held where students and scholars from different universities across the country are expected to participate. A marathon is also planned to create awareness.

A round table meet with representatives of all political parties will be held on December 5. Musavir, leader of Students’ Federation of India (SFI) added that they will invite Bihar kingmaker Lalu Prasad Yadav and Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah to participate in the fest.

Source : TNIE