Mumbai, Jul 29 (TOI): Concerned by attacks led by 'gau rakshaks' in other states, Congress MLA Asif Shaikh on Thursday sought a clarification from the Maharashtra government on whether the Bombay high court ruling allowing exemptions in the beef ban in the state had been implemented.

The order in May had allowed the consumption and possession of beef imported from another state or country. It had also struck down a provision which put the burden of proving innocence on the accused.
"The HC had told the government to undertake amendments in the cow slaughter ban. Bakri Id is approaching, and there have been incidents in other states, so we are hoping there are no such issues here," said Shaikh.

Former chief minister Prithviraj Chavan (Congress) also demanded a clarification. "These issues have come up before the HC and Supreme Court. The state needs to clarify its position," he said.
But chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said the state was implementing the HC ruling. "It had upheld the beef ban. What it had struck down has been implemented. In any case, we will issue directives to the department concerned," Fadnavis said.

Meanwhile, the state animal husbandry department, which oversees implementation of the ban, has sought volunteers who will inform it and the police if they see any violation. Joint commissioner of animal husbandry G P Rane said 1,900 people had applied for the post. A special drive for the post had been undertaken by a former official of the department. "We have not yet selected the person. A committee will make the final selection. The volunteers will then undergo training," he said.

The decision has raised eyebrows as a network of such volunteers may be seen as an extra-constitutional mechanism to enforce a controversial rule. According to reports, such volunteers may be designated as 'animal welfare officers' whose role will be to report cases of cruelty. But there are concerns about the motivations of people who have applied; the issue has become politically sensitive after attacks on dalits and Muslims in Gujarat and UP involved in transporting cattle or skinning carcasses.