SRINAGAR:People from all walks of life attended. Guests were served with dishes made of beef. Speaking on the occasion Er Rashid thanked the participants and said the purpose of the get-together was to give a clear and louder message to legislatures, power corridors, judiciary and other institutions that nobody needs permission what to eat and what not and interference in religious affairs and fundamental rights would not be tolerated. While replying to questions of media persons Er Rashid said that the event by no means was organized to hurt anybodys sentiments and in fact it is stupid and unacceptable to see it from that angle.
He added that legislatures should read writing on the wall and must foil all the efforts to sabotage the bill seeking revocation of ban on beef. Legislature and other institutions need to understand that religious rights cannot be made controversial by dragging them to courts or any assembly he added. While Er. Rasheed is clearly making a statement and this statement smacks of lone wolf populism of sorts, but the legislator is perhaps in the right to do so. The beef ban controversy has become so politicized and rather politically untouchable for mainstream political parties that merely skirt around the issue.
All major mainstream parties have made noises about the issues but none has come out with substantive public statements or a program to thwart the intentions of those want to impose the bill on the state. No party, it seems, wants to disturb the apple cart and offend powers that be.
Only Er. Rasheed has had the gumption to make a point. While Er. Rasheed can be lauded for his lone wolf act, the problem is that he is an individual notwithstanding his status as a legislator. Protests and programs to thwart the beef ban bill by major political parties would have added heft and clout to the protest. But , alas, this is not to be. This can only be negative for the state , its politics and people.
