Biryani row individual, small issue: Khattar

“It is an individual and small issue. I will not speak (about it). I do not want to answer this question,” Khattar said

Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Saturday said he did not want to talk about row over biryani samples lifted from Mewat. He described it as “an individual and small issue” and as such he would not comment on it.

CM Khattar was asked a question over the biryani row at the event to mark the unveiling of the logo of Haryana’s golden jubilee celebrations. (HT Photo)

“It is an individual and small issue. I will not speak (about it). I do not want to answer this question,” Khattar said when HT asked about the government action on the sample report.

Khattar was interacting with the media here after unveiling the logo of the golden jubilee celebrations, to commemorate 50 years of the state’s formation.

The samples, collected in first week of this month from Mundaka village of Ferozepur Jhirka tehsil, were tested at Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar.

The samples were collected after receiving complaints that beef was being added to the dish in some shops.

The report confirmed the presence of “meat of cattle species” in each of them, but said the document is not for “vetro-legal purposes”, holding the police back from filing a case.

A report mentioning “not for vetro-legal purposes” or “not for medico-legal purposes” cannot be used in legal process and has no standing in the court of law. It also means the medical staff who conducted test will not come to the court for evidence.

Khattar said questions should only be about swarn jayanti (golden jubilee) celebrations.

Following the biryani question, Khattar hastily ended his media interaction.

Official sources said the government is on the back foot in the matter since the report mentions that it is not meant for vetro-legal purposes.

Haryana Gau Seva Aayog (cow service commission) has also been directed to act with restraint and not collect more such samples until further orders from the government.

Haryana Gauvansh Sanrakshan and Gausamvardhan Act, 2015, bans the consumption and possession of beef in any form in the state.

The act defines beef as “flesh of cow in any form including contained in sealed containers and imported in the state”. The Act has made cow slaughter punishable with rigorous imprisonment of up to 10 years and a fine of ₹1 lakh