KOZHIKODE: A collective of women lawyers from Kozhikode — Punarjani, organised a different mode of protest against the Central government’s ban on sale of cows and buffaloes for slaughter through animal markets. On Saturday, they organised a beef fest (iftar) for the public to break fast during the holy month of Ramzan. “The restrictions on the slaughter of animals is not only affecting the choice of freedom of food, but freedom to practice a trade or a profession. No government can go against the fundamental rights of the citizens. This is a gentle protest during the month of Ramzan, representing the feelings of the people of Kozhikode,” said advocate Sapna P.P., who represents Punarjani.
The team prepared beef biriyani, dates and lemon juice for the special iftar, held at Kozhikode beach. Iftars rarely become a mode of protest, and Sapna said, selecting beef in particular, sends a strong political message as well. Though the organisers claimed that the beef fest was political, there was no opposition from the crowd and nearly 100 people, including women, queued up to accept the beef biriyani.
