Thu Sep 12 00:40:00 UTC 2024: ## Nagaland Parties Oppose Proposed Cow Slaughter Ban Yatra in Kohima
**DIMAPUR, Sept 11:** Several political parties in Nagaland have expressed their opposition to the proposed “Gau Dhwaj Sthapna Bharat Yatra” scheduled for September 28th in Kohima. The yatra, aimed at promoting a ban on cow slaughter, has been met with widespread condemnation from the ruling Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party, the Naga People’s Front, the Nagaland unit of BJP, and the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC).
The state BJP president, Benjamin Yepthomi, stated that the proposed ban not only violates “our cultural and social practices but also goes against our religious beliefs.” He urged the organizers to reconsider holding the yatra in Nagaland, citing potential negative implications for cultural cohesion and communal peace. The party appealed to the state government to protect the rights and traditions of the Naga people, emphasizing that their opposition is based on mutual respect and understanding.
The NPCC strongly condemned the proposed yatra, calling it “Exhibit A” of a divisive trend. They asserted that food choices are a personal matter and a fundamental aspect of individual freedom, and any attempt to impose beliefs on others in the state would be fiercely resisted.
The controversy highlights the potential for religious and cultural tensions surrounding the proposed ban on cow slaughter in Nagaland. The state’s unique status under Article 371A guarantees special rights and safeguards for the Naga people, making this issue particularly sensitive.
First Piper 