JNU warns students against 'beef, pork' food festival

With the proposed 'beef and pork' food festival sparking protests from right-wing groups, Jawaharlal Nehru University authorities on Monday stepped in to prevent any further flaring of tempers, warning students against organising such an event.

A circular that appeared in the campus on Monday warned students against the possession, consumption or cooking of beef on campus, pointing to the law that prohibits cow slaughter.

The circular signed by the registrar appeared on a day when several groups, including the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal, protested outside the University, demanding that the food festival be stopped.

The notice cites the Delhi Agricultural Cattle Preservation Act of 1994, which specifies that a person found violating the law may land in jail or have to pay a fine up to Rs 10,000.

The festival had become a bone of contention between several groups at the campus and even featured in the presidential debate ahead of the student union election.

Bharatiya Janata Party's student wing Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad had raised the issue during the campaign.