Biryani outlets in Haryana closed after reports confirm beef use

Eateries serving biryani in Muslim-dominated Mewat region of Haryana have shut shop fearing a backlash and a likely crackdown by the police after reports corroborated presence of beef in the samples.

Beef is a prohibited commodity in Haryana. A laboratory report this week suggested the presence  of beef in seven food samples that the police had collected from outlets last year.

Fear looms large in the area with many self-styled vigilante groups taking matters into  their hands in an attempt to prove their right-wing credentials.

Talking to DH, Director General of Police B S Sandhu said the fears are unfounded and no person, including the police, will be allowed to take law into  their hands. He said legal opinion has been sought in the matter since beef is a prohibited commodity under the law in Haryana.

“We will take a final call after taking into consideration all factors,” Sandhu said. Last month, People for Animals (PFA) chairman Naresh Kadyan had filed a police complaint accusing the officials concerned of going slow on the case concerning biryani samples collected from Mewat.

A veterinary and animal sciences university in Hisar earlier this month gave its report stating that the biryani samples tested were of either cow or ox.

All seven biryani samples   tested positive for beef.  In addition to fear, the police crackdown — dubbed biryani policing — on sellers suspected of serving chunks of beef in the dish, had also drawn criticism as no official from the food and supplies department was present during the raids.

The government went slow on the matter after earlier reports said all the samples were “cattle species”, without giving details.  The police are yet to lodge a complaint against the accused.