Nagaland Voluntary Consumers’ Organisation (NVCO) has appealed the state government to re-consider its decision to “ban commercial import and trading of dogs, dog markets and the sale of dog meat, both cooked and uncooked”, while terming the ban “unconstitutional”.
In a press release, NVCO press & media cell, said the state cabinet decision taken solely in response to a letter written by Maneka Ghandhi, BJP MP, may not be “fair enough” for the people of Nagaland who consume dog meat as “part of diet food having medicinal values; for building immunity and which is considered as an indigenous food”.
NVCO pointed out that Naga ancestors have been consuming dog meat and that the meat was also considered as the “diet of the native and indigenous people”. NVCO also acknowledged that there are many Nagas who do not eat dog meat and considered dogs as companions or pets. It also maintained that NVCO support Prevention of Cruelty to Animal Act and that authority should initiate action upon any person who violates the law.
Asserting that imposing a ban would amount to infringement of people’s dietary practices, NVCO said there is no law to impose a uniform code of food ethics on all in the country. It then termed that ban by the state government as unconstitutional.
NVCO reminded the state government not to control our “unique traditional indigenous food item” adding that “outsiders or central government” should not be allowed “to dictate our unique food habits”.
Further, NVCO has appealed the Naga Tribal Hohos and civil society organisations to come forward “to protect our unique indigenous food which is part of our tradition and customary”.
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