THE CPI(M) Jammu and Kashmir state committee has opposed the ban on sale of beef in the state and said that there should be freedom to eat whatever one wants and people should be left to make their own choices about food. Besides, nobody should discount the perilous social impact of meddling with food habits and preferences in a multi-religious society. The Party believes that the latest ruling of Jammu and Kashmir High Court, which has further reinforced a colonial-era law banning the sale of beef, is devoid of any regard for sensitivities of people of this state. It is no secret that rabid communal forces, led by RSS, which are at the helm of affairs in the state, are encouraging such tendencies to divide the ranks of the people. What has come as a shocker to the people is that the petitioner in the controversial beef ban case is the state’s Deputy Advocate General Parmikosh Seth. And BJP’s state unit spokesperson and advocate Sunil Sethi appeared “on behalf of the petitioner”. According to a report in Greater Kashmir, Parmikosh didn’t withdraw the petition against the government even after being appointed as the Deputy Advocate General in April this year. Parmikosh and five other lawyers were engaged as Deputy Advocate Generals by the Jammu and Kashmir Law and Parliamentary Affairs Ministry on April 24 for the Jammu wing of the high court. As per terms and conditions of their appointment, the state counsels cannot accept any brief or appear in a case against the state government. A division bench of Jammu and Kashmir High Court comprising Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur and Justice Janak Raj Kotwal had on September 9 banned sale of beef in the state. The bench directed the Director General of Police to ensure that appropriate directions are issued to all SSPs/SPs/SHOs for enforcement of the ban. “Strict action shall be taken in accordance with law against those who indulge in this activity”, the court said. The judgment evoked widespread criticism with religious and separatist groups terming it as a “direct interference in religious affairs of Muslims of Jammu and Kashmir”. The CPI(M) has appealed to all sections of the society not to fall prey to the machinations of communal and divisive elements who want to disintegrate the state. The Party demanded that the Jammu and Kashmir government come forward and effectively contest this ruling of the high court. (END)