Coimbatore: Members of Aadhi Tamilar Viduthalai Iyakkam in Coimbatore expressed their outrage against the ban imposed by the Maharashtra Government on consumption and sale of beef across the state by eating 'beef biryani'.

Protesters raised slogans against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and said the party is trying to divide the people. They said beef is healthy meat and when other meats like mutton, chicken, fish and pork are allowed to be consumed, then why has the government banned the beef alone in the name of religion.

President Pranab Mukherjee had earlier this month given his assent to the Maharashtra Animal Preservation Bill, which had been pending for 20 years, extending a ban on the killing of cows to bulls and bullocks. The law calls for handing down five-year jail terms and a fine of Rs.10,000 to anyone found in possession of beef, according to media reports.

Killing cows is legal in just two states in India, though reports of illegal slaughter surface regularly.