A shocking controversy has emerged in Karnataka’s Bengaluru, where there are claims that the city receives dog meat from Rajasthan. Thousands of kilograms of suspected dog meat were taken away by railway police at Majestic railway station, which infuriated the public. Hindu activists led by Rashtra Rakshana Pade (RRP) President Puneeth Kerehalli brought the issue to light by raiding a meat supply chain at a Bengaluru railway station. Their suspicions were confirmed when they discovered meat packs having abnormally long animal tails. This led to grave doubts regarding the origins of the meat.
On Friday (26 July), Hindu activists led by Gaurakshak Puneeth Kerehalli carried out a demonstration at the Bengaluru City Railway Station, stating that a trader named Abdul Razzaq ordered a large consignment of dog meat from Rajasthan. This led to a heated confrontation between the Hindu activists, traders and Food Safety and Quality Department officials about the most recent development. 150 crates holding about 3,000 kilograms of meat came by train from Rajasthan. Hindu activists asked that the cartons be opened for inspection after they had previously expressed worries about the meat’s origin, suspecting it to be dog meat. But the meat’s merchant, Abdul Razzaq, objected to additional scrutiny, which led to a heated dispute.
While speaking about the matter, Puneeth Kerehalli said, “The meat is mixed with dog meat and sold in Russell Market and mutton shops. The 75 to 80 hours of stale meat is cleaned in vinegar to make it look fresh.” The Gaurakshak added that Abdul Razzaq brought 6 tonnes of meat from Jaipur daily. A team of police was dispatched to Bengaluru City Railway Station to maintain law and order situation. The cops took Gaurakshak Puneeth Kerehalli and other Hindu activists into custody on Friday night.
Meat sent for testing
Hindu groups alleged that the cartons of dog meat were brought from Jaipur via the Jaipur-Mysore Express. Food Safety Department officials said that 90 parcels that reached the station via train from Rajasthan contained animal meat during the inspection. They said the meat was sent to the food laboratory to find out which animal it belonged to.
The Commissioner of the Food Department said that if the meat of many other animals is found in it, then strict legal action will be taken. He said, “Complete information about the FSSAI license of the parcel senders and recipients is being collected, and if any discrepancy is found, further legal action will be initiated.”
Trader Abdul Razzaq had cried foul over the matter and claimed that Karehalli was making false accusations to extort money. “Everything is legal. The meat is kept in an ice box. We have an FSSAI licence, trade licence and BBMP licence. We are getting the meat from Jaipur. The meat is tested and of good quality. The allegations are all fabricated. No illegal business is going on. I will explain in detail at a press conference,” he was quoted as saying.
Local Muslim traders also suspected Abdul Razzaq
According to police, the meat boxes belong to meat trader Abdul Razzaq. For the past year, mutton meat has been selling for over Rs 700 per kilogram in Bengaluru. However, some traders, including Abdul Razzaq, have been selling meat at a significantly lower price of Rs 400 per kilogram. Muslim traders also suspected this meat might not be mutton, leading to the investigation.
Rizwan Qureshi, a Muslim butcher, alleged that complaints to the Chief Ministeŗ Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), Police Commissioner, and Food Department were ignored. Despite assurances from the BBMP special commissioner, no action has been taken, and the joint director of BBMP was seen conversing with Abdul Razzaq.
The event has sparked concerns about Bengaluru’s meat supply network. 12,000 kg of mutton is allegedly provided weekly from Rajasthan to restaurants, food stores, and lodging facilities for a low price after the meat is washed, chopped, and packaged. This meat’s legitimacy is currently being questioned.
(Featured image credit: Public TV)
