Osmania University shows the way: `Nothing academic in beef festival`

The Osmania University has finally called off the controversial `beef festival`, saying that the varsity is a seat of learning and there is nothing academic in the proposed event.

Hyderabad: Caught in the eye of a bitter storm over a 'beef festival' scheduled to be held on December 10, the Osmania University has finally called off the event, saying that the varsity is a 'seat of learning' and there is 'nothing academic' in the proposed event.

A release from the Public Relations Officer of the Osmania University said, "Primary objective of the University is purely academic and research oriented. It is therefore informed to all the concerned including the teachers, students and staff that activities such as beef festival, go-puja which are unrelated to the academics and research will not be permitted on the campus."

The announcement was made by the authorities on Wednesday evening, making it clear that no "beef festival" would be allowed to be organised on the varsity campus.

The decision is apparently aimed at checking the escalating tension caused by announcement by a group of students to organise a 'beef festival' on 10 December, which was followed by another group of right-wing members planning a "pork festival".

The organisers of the beef festival had earlier said that the even was planned to "save democratic principles" in the wake of attempts to curb dietary habits of certain groups, coinciding with International Human Rights Day on 10 December.

However, another group later announced plan to hold a pork festival. "Pork is nutritious food choice and pig rearing provided livelihood to certain communities," said Solanki Srinivas, leader of the group.

Alleging that there is a conspiracy to undermine eating pork by promoting consumption of beef, Srinivas said several prominent sports personalities consume pork to boost their fitness.

BJP MLA from Goshamahal T Raja Singh had also vowed to stop the beef event, saying cow is a sacred animal for crores of people.

In a memorandum to the Vice-Chancellor, he had demanded that if beef festival was permitted, an event to worship the cow should also be allowed.

The Goshamahal MLA also tweeted the press release issued by the Osmania University on Twitter.

Meanwhile, the right-wing members have hailed the move by the varsity as a small but crucial victory of Hindutva.