Guwahati: Maharashtra MLA Omprakash Babarao Kadu or Bacchu Kadu made the unusual remark that the state should send all stray dogs to Assam for consumption in an effort to reduce their population. This sparked outrage from various animal activists, including the state cabinet minister of Assam on Sunday.
In a press statement on Sunday, JBF (INDIA) TRUST, a registered non-profit social sector organisation better known as Just Be Friendly, denounced Bacchu Kadu’s remarks to the media and stated how they were offensive to the entire Assamese community.
The chief functionary of JBF (INDIA) TRUST, Sashanka Sekhar Dutta urged the chief minister of Assam Himanta Biswa Sarma and all the national organizations to take necessary steps against this issue.
As dog is not listed as food animal through the concerned ministry, Dutta raised question saying “How an MLA could draw such statement.”
Kadu further mentioned that he had seen dogs being sold in Assam for between 8,000 and 9,000 rupees.
Sashanka Sekhar Dutta requests Kadu’s assistance in identifying the dog meat vendors after hearing about his experience at the Radisson Blu in Guwahati.
Animal rights groups have blasted Bacchu Kadu’s offensive remarks as cruel and barbaric, igniting a debate.
Meanwhile, reacting to Bacchu Kadu’s speech, Assam Minister Pijush Hazarika took to Twitter saying, “I condemn Mr Bachchu Kadu’s statement. Wishes he enlightens himself regarding the rich and diverse culture of India’s North East, rather than surrendering to misinformation and racial stereotypes.”
This is significant because last year, when Eknath Shinde’s supporters were plotting to seize power in Maharashtra, Bacchu Kadu was one of the MLAs who supported him.
Such remarks from Bacchu Kadu are undoubtedly offensive in light of the supposed goodwill that has grown between the two states.