North Garo Hills district BJP president, Bachu Marak, has resigned from the party over the Centre's ban on the sale of cattle in markets for slaughter.
I cannot compromise on the sentiments of the Garos. As a Garo, it is my responsibility to protect the interest of my community. Beef eating is part of our culture and tradition. Imposition of BJP’s non-secular ideology on us is not acceptable.Bachu Marak
He has submitted his resignation to state party president Shibun Lyngdoh.
Bachu had proposed a 'bitchi' (rice beer) and beef party in the Garo Hills on his Facebook page recently to mark the Modi government's three years in office. His act drew criticism from the party leadership, with BJP national spokesperson Nalin Kohli warning of strict action against Bachu.
Later, announcing his resignation from the party in another Facebook post, Bachu wrote: "My Tradition and Cultures is my first priority and Party at Last. Why is beef Everytime the issue, why not pig, chicken, goat and other animals. (sic)"
Bachu's resignation comes four days after West Garo Hills district president, Bernard Marak, exited the party over the same issue. Bernard plans to organise a beef party at the Eden Bari locality of Tura on 10 June and Bachu is expected to participate in the event.
Meanwhile, the BJP termed reports of the party wanting to impose a ban on beef in Meghalaya as "false and malicious untruth" . The party said any such decision is for the state government to take.
Nalin Kohli, the Meghalaya in-charge for the BJP, blamed the Congress for spreading this "malicious untruth" and accused it of communalising the political agenda in the state that is headed to polls next year.
(With inputs from PTI.)
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