THE observations of the speaker of J&K legislative assembly vis-à-vis private members bills submitted on the beef ban are regrettable. In a statement issued on October 4, Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, CPI(M) leader and MLA Kulgam, said that it was not expected from the speaker to disrespect his constitutional mandate of neutrality and virtually act as spokesperson of the government. The remarks of the speaker indicate that the government has shelved the much needed debate on the bills related to beef ban. The legislative assembly is the highest forum where the matters of public interest are to be debated and discussed and no other institution or forum can undermine the significance and belittle its sanctity. The speaker’s argument that he will wait for Supreme Court clarification on the issue does not hold as the sub-judice nature of the matter does not bar the legislative assembly to debate and discuss the bills already submitted. The speaker must appreciate the importance of bills on the subject given the sensitivities involved therein and use the authority vested in him so that these important bills are not shelved for the narrow political interests. Tarigami said that there is a sustained campaign by forces inimical to peace and harmony, who are hell bent to project the issue on divisive lines. The fact of the matter remains that this issue, if not resolved through legislative procedures, is bound to create more complicacies. The sanctity of the house and its legitimacy to legislate on such issues should not be undermined, he said.