Ahead of Assam's assembly elections, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma clarified that he isn't banning beef consumption outright but wants it confined to private homes—not public spaces.
The Assam Cattle Preservation Act, 2021, allows private beef consumption but prohibits its sale and eating in public areas like restaurants, or within 5 km of temples and sattras (Vaishnavite monasteries).
Speaking to reporters, Sarma said: “There is a big Muslim community in Assam who consume beef. I am not stopping this. I am only saying, eat it inside your home. Don’t eat it in a public space.” He stressed this applies especially to Hindus, noting some have switched to buffalo meat, and reiterated the 5-km temple restriction.
The remarks come amid heated election debates on beef, with Sarma recently threatening action against the parents of Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) candidate Kunki Chowdhury. He alleged they posted beef consumption images online, vowing post-poll enforcement under the Act: “After the election, I will take action against her parents as per the Cattle Preservation Act. I will accept everything, but not eating beef.”
Chowdhury, contesting from Guwahati Central, denied the claims as fake and politically motivated, filing a police complaint over alleged AI-generated deepfakes targeting her family. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav also criticized Sarma's comments.
Polling for Assam's 126 seats begins Thursday, with results on May 4.