BJP MLA slams beef ban, urges govt not to snatch away the poor's meal

March 12, 2016

Mumbai, Mar 12: The ruling BJP in Maharashtra was left red-faced in the state legislative assembly on Thursday by one of its own MLAs who criticised the government over its beef ban, saying that it was not in the interest of farmers.

beefban
“Why should you snatch away the poor's meal?” asked Bhimrao Dhonde, who represents Beed's Ashti, during a discussion on the state's agrarian crisis.

“In times of drought, feeding productive animals itself is a big challenge for farmers. How can a farmer sustain the additional burden of looking after spent cattle?” asked Dhonde.

The controversial beef ban, which was imposed by the Maharashtra government last March, has been opposed before, but this is perhaps the first time that a ruling party MLA has openly spoken against it.

Dhonde was with the Congress until 2014 when he switched to the BJP that March, just before the Lok Sabha polls. In the assembly polls held subsequently, he defeated former state minister Suresh Dhas of the NCP.

This is Dhonde's second term as an MLA from the Ashti constituency in Beed, which is one of the worst affected by drought.

Dhonde's criticism comes two days after the Centre's Chief Economic Advisor Arvind Subramanian quipped in Mumbai that he would not comment on the state's beef ban as it would cost him his job.

On Tuesday, asked to comment on the economic impact of the ban during an interaction with students at Mumbai University, Subramanian said: “You know that if I answer this question, I will lose my job. But thank you nevertheless for asking this question.”

Comments

Rikaz
 - 
Monday, 14 Mar 2016

It is better for government to impose ban on beef as it is not at all good for health.....Moton is a good meat and healthy...

Dean
 - 
Sunday, 13 Mar 2016

Without distributing the Ambani wealth to poor you cant impose ban on anything. Poor people are suffering because of rich Fadnavi who has easy access to all sort of food. I'm used to mutton now. Even if you allow me to eat beef i wont.

MM ADYAR
 - 
Saturday, 12 Mar 2016

There intention is not to snatch snatch away the meat of export from their leaders.

suleman
 - 
Saturday, 12 Mar 2016

Beef ban increased beef export. Hence, my guess, the farmers must be selling cows to the exporters. It is very clear that the present administration is anti poor. Election in the corner will woke him up now.

suresh
 - 
Saturday, 12 Mar 2016

dear avish, the loan burden and no food make the people to sucide. Do you say that the life of cow is more important than the human being? he can sell the cow if he want he can save his parents and family. If not all them should be opt for sucide. So parents sake and family sake he is ready to sell the other things which is not necessary at that moment. But people like you who think that more educated ( not being a human) think another way. It will be understandable only when your are in same situation

Suresh
 - 
Saturday, 12 Mar 2016

Dear Kumel are you educated? how the cow becomes your mother. Please check your DNA. We have never seen even in any holy books that the human being is born by Cow.

Mohidin
 - 
Saturday, 12 Mar 2016

Another prime example for dirty politics from BJP since Assembly electioons are on the corner, please do not react or comment

true indian
 - 
Saturday, 12 Mar 2016

Mr kumel,Who you are to feed 17 cr people. Who is parasitic?.mind your language.

Farmer
 - 
Saturday, 12 Mar 2016

Any action in this regard to be implemented immediately before beef eater communities are used to alternative diet, most of them now used to mutton and chicken, After that if we want sell we will never find anyone to buy it.

ahmed ali K.
 - 
Saturday, 12 Mar 2016

I think we have to ask all farmers to bring all their spent cattles to Mr. Kumel Chang house. He will look after these mother cows.

Avish Chandra
 - 
Saturday, 12 Mar 2016

I guess he'd be willing to let go of his parents and family as and when they become nonproductive. What a loser!

Priyanka Chinnu
 - 
Saturday, 12 Mar 2016

So parents are cattle? People like you will use any analogy to stick to your stand. Don't impose your ideas on the rural folks. They know exactly what they are doing and what to do with their life, diet, animals, crops etc. India is a non vegetarian country. Get used to it

Kumel Chang
 - 
Saturday, 12 Mar 2016

If we can feed 17 crore parasitic population of jihadis, surely we can feed the holy mother cow

Raju Chacha
 - 
Saturday, 12 Mar 2016

Very well said, I came from an agricultural family too and they have similar practice. I remember Bangalore in the 80's and the menace of cows roaming on the road. Then the IT boom happened and \ban\" we dont see them anymore and they are now sold as beef."

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News Network
December 4,2025

Udupi: A 40-year-old NRI from Udupi has reportedly lost more than Rs 12.25 lakh in an online investment scam operated through Telegram.

According to a complaint filed at the CEN police station, Leo Jerome Mendonsa, who has been working in Dubai for the past 15 years in computer accessories sales, maintains NRI accounts in Karkala and Nitte.

On November 12, 2025, Mendonsa was added to a Telegram group called Instaflow Earnings by unknown individuals. Users identified as Priya and Dipannita persuaded him to invest in “Revenue Tasks.” Initially, Mendonsa transferred Rs 1,100 multiple times and received the promised returns, encouraging him to continue.

On November 14, another user, Nishmitha Shetty, directed him to register on a website, digitvisionuoce.cc, and invest Rs 4 lakh in various shares. Over the next few days, he made multiple transfers totaling Rs 12,25,000, including Rs 50,000 via Google Pay, believing the scheme was legitimate.

After receiving the money, the alleged handlers stopped responding, and neither the invested amount nor the promised profits were returned.

The CEN police have registered a case under Sections 66(C) and 66(D) of the IT Act and Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and investigations are ongoing.

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News Network
December 15,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 15: Educational institutions in Mangaluru that rely on the popular Mangala Stadium for their annual sports events are bracing for an inconvenience as the city's key sporting venue is set to close its gates for a significant upgrade. The stadium is expected to be unavailable for approximately two months starting from January 15, 2026.

The closure is necessitated by a proposed overhaul of the stadium's facilities, with a special focus on upgrading the synthetic track. Pradeep Dsouza, Assistant Director of the District of Youth Empowerment and Sports (DYES), Dakshina Kannada, confirmed the development.

"Experts have visited the stadium, conducted a thorough inspection, and have given the go-ahead for a complete makeover," Dsouza stated. "Funds have been allocated for the project, and we are currently awaiting the final green signal from state officials to commence the work. We anticipate that the work will likely begin in the second week of January. Consequently, we have stopped renting out the stadium to colleges and other organizations in preparation for the upgrade."

The timing presents a logistical challenge for colleges, as many schools have already concluded their sports meets.

"Colleges will now be organizing their events and will need to find alternative locations to host their sports meets," Dsouza added. He suggested a few potential venues, including the Dakshina Kannada police ground, University College grounds, Panambur grounds, Swaraj Maidan in Moodbidri, and the Mangalore University sports grounds in Konaje.

However, many institutions note that finding a comparable venue will be difficult. While the DK police ground and University College grounds are closer to the city center, they do not possess the extensive facilities and infrastructure offered by Mangala Stadium.

Dr. P Dayananda Pai - P Satisha Govt First Grade College, Carstreet, is one such institution dependent on the stadium. Principal Jayakar Bhandary expressed hope for a swift completion of the work. "We expect the work to be completed at the earliest. If not, we will be forced to look for other venues to host the sports day for our students," Bhandary said, highlighting the pressing need for the city's main sporting facility.

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News Network
December 15,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 15: Air India Express has announced that it will resume direct flight services between Mangaluru and Muscat from March 2026, restoring an important international air link for passengers from the coastal region.

Airport authorities said the service will operate twice a week—on Sundays and Tuesdays—from March 1. The initial flights are scheduled on March 3, 8 and 10, followed by March 15 and 17, with the same operating pattern to continue thereafter. The flight duration is approximately three hours and 25 minutes.

The Mangaluru–Muscat route was earlier operated under the 2025 summer schedule, with services beginning on July 14. At that time, Air India Express had operated four flights a week before suspending the service.

Officials said the summer schedule will come into effect from March 29, after which changes in flight timings and departure schedules from Mangaluru are expected. Passengers have been advised to check the latest schedules while planning their travel.

The resumption of direct flights to Muscat is expected to significantly benefit expatriates, business travellers and others, further strengthening Mangaluru’s air connectivity with the Gulf region.

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