Shillong, Sept 16: The Minister in-charge Education, Rakkam A Sangma, has strongly criticized the Hindu group advocating for the ‘Gau Dhwaj Yatra’, labelling them as “illiterate” and suggesting they should be considered “extremists”.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Sangma emphasised that these individuals lack understanding of India’s sovereignty, cultural diversity, and constitutional right to religious freedom.

“Who are they? I think these people are illiterate. They know nothing about the Constitution. These people do not know about the country, diversity of the cultures, the right to profess and practice any religion by choice. I think these people should be considered as ‘extremists’ as they are not worthy to be Hindu people,” Sangma said. He further urged them to read and understand the Constitution of India, as their actions demonstrate that they can’t be considered as true Indians.

Sangma highlighted that beef is widely enjoyed in Meghalaya, including himself, and criticized any attempts to link beef consumption with religious identity. “No one has the right to dictate what others should eat,” he added.

The Minister also referenced to a 1987 parliamentary debate where Late P.A. Sangma, former MP of Tura, defended the right to dietary freedom in India, stressing the importance of respecting diverse cultural practices. “Our tallest leader from the North East, late PA Sangma has defended stating killing of beef may hurt the sentiments of some religion or some community but not killing the beef/cow also hurt the tribal sentiments, belief and practice as beef eating is part and parcel of tribal culture and festival,” he recalled.

Asked, Rakkam said, “Forget about organizing beef festival, we are always eating beef, almost every day at home. Forget about festivals but eating of beef is part of our culture and it is food culture. So whoever likes to eat must eat.”

The government of Meghalaya has faced pressure from all section of society to not give any permission for the proposed “Gau Dhwaj Yatra” or rally by Gau Pratishtha Andolan (GPA) on October 2 in Shillong – a movement aimed at stopping cow slaughter and elevating the bovine animal to the status of “mother”.

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