The seizure of a truck carrying at least 26 tonnes of meat on the outskirts of Bhopal has become a political flashpoint in Madhya Pradesh, putting the ruling BJP on the defensive after lab tests confirmed the presence of beef.
The BJP, which has just put out fires over the death of at least 15 persons in Indore because of contaminated drinking water, now faces scrutiny over how a slaughterhouse operating under the Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) jurisdiction could be linked to prohibited activities.
With the state government, municipal corporation, and local representation all under the BJP’s control, the party has limited options to deflect responsibility, party functionaries acknowledged. The opposition has seized on this, arguing that the incident exposes a gap between the party’s commitment to cow protection and actual governance outcomes.
Officials said the seized meat was linked to a BMC-operated slaughterhouse in the Jinsi area, run on a public-private partnership model. The facility is only permitted to slaughter buffalo, not cows or their progeny. Following the revelations, the slaughterhouse was sealed by the BMC on January 9.
Bhopal Mayor Malti Rai said, “The information received indicates that the slaughterhouse samples were found to be incorrect. When the slaughterhouse samples were found to be incorrect, action was taken against it… Action is being taken against the concerned officer, a private vendor, or anyone else. Action is being taken against those involved… The slaughterhouse has been sealed.”
The slaughterhouse was leased to a firm for an annual rent of Rs 4 lakh. The agency has been blacklisted, and at least 12 employees have been suspended.
Protests have been seen across Bhopal, with both right-wing groups and the opposition Congress accusing the BJP and state government of involvement with those responsible for cow slaughter and illegal transport of cow meat. Activists from Bajrang Dal, Karni Sena, and other organisations protested on Monday and Tuesday, demanding the demolition of the slaughterhouse that started operations in October 2025.
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“Our sentiments have been hurt. We will not tolerate this. A memorandum is being submitted to the CM, demanding action,” said Bhanu Hindu of the Jai Maa Bhavani Hindu Organisation.
The BMC council meeting on Tuesday saw opposition Congress corporators create disruption over the issue. They accused the BJP-ruled BMC and the Mayor of overlooking the matter despite party corporators raising concerns since December.
“We’ve been continuously trying to bring the matter to everyone’s notice since December, but it has fallen on deaf ears. Still, if no action is initiated, we will be forced to take strong action,” said S Zaki, the BMC’s leader of opposition.
BJP corporator Devendra Bhargava tendered his resignation, which was rejected. “It’s shameful that this happened right under our noses. I have given the corporation a deadline that if no action is taken, I will resign,” he said
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Cabinet Minister Vishwas Sarang said, “No one will be spared in cases of beef or cow slaughter. Whether it is a trader or an officer, if anyone is found guilty, the strictest possible action will be taken… Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has given clear and strict instructions on this matter.”
