New Delhi: Amid the political row over alleged restrictions on public sale of fish and meat in Bihar, West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya on Thursday asserted that the people of Bengal are free to consume food of their choice and clarified that the party was only against public sale of beef.The controversy began when senior leaders of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), including West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, criticized the BJP-backed move against non-vegetarian eating habits. The remarks were related to a recent order issued by the Bihar government to regulate the public sale of meat.
Responding to the allegations, Bhattacharya said: “Bengalis can eat whatever they want. Bengal will have its own fish and meat,” the statement said, rejecting the TMC’s proposal to ban open sale of fish and meat in the neighboring state.Elaborating on the Bihar directive, he added that the BJP had not proposed any blanket restrictions. “They can never say such things. Why are they doing this? No one will accept it. TMC is distorting these comments,” he said.Bhattacharya further said that there is no such ban and if such a measure is imposed, people in Bihar or West Bengal will not comply, news agency PTI reported. He noted that the BJP’s stance was limited to opposing the open sale of beef. “The BJP will not allow you to sell something openly,” he said.Earlier, Mamata Banerjee expressed concern over the directive reported in Bihar, pointing out the impact on the livelihood of small traders. She said: “I saw a report on the deputy chief minister of Bihar claiming that fish and meat cannot be sold in the open market. This is anti-people and should be condemned. Can everyone sell meat and fish in shopping malls? What will happen to most of the people selling fish and meat on the road? What about their livelihood issues? Such politics is sad. “Talking about the issue again, Banerjee claimed, “If the BJP comes to power, they will ban the sale of meat and fish in Bengal. I have seen the deputy CM of Bihar saying that fish and meat cannot be sold in the open market. Only people with licenses can sell meat indoors. So, will everyone sell meat and fish in malls? Only a few have the financial strength to do so. Most fish vendors sell fresh fish on the streets. That is how they earn bread.” I condemn this politics. “
