A group which calls itself the Muslim Consumers' Rights Council organized a rally on Tuesday demanding a boycott of restaurants that do not serve beef.
The group gathered in front of Hotel Al Razzaque in Old Dhaka's Bangshal area, chanting slogans such as, "No-beef restaurants are agents of India and Hindutva. Boycott such establishments" and "Cow dung or beef? Beef! Beef!"
They demanded that all restaurants be mandated to include beef dishes on their menus, threatening closure for those that fail to comply.
During the rally, speakers from the council emphasized that the overwhelming majority of Bangladesh's population—98%—is Muslim.
They argued that Muslims prefer to have beef in their meals, but certain restaurants, which they claim support Hindutva ideologies, refuse to serve beef despite its high demand, thus depriving Muslim consumers of their rights.
Muhammad Arif Al Khabir, the council's convener, said: "Eating beef is not obligatory (Fard), but it is a symbol of Islamic identity. When it comes to Hindu beliefs, consuming beef becomes a part of faith and therefore obligatory."
He referenced verse 208 from Surah Al-Baqarah of the Quran, explaining its context: "Although eating camel meat is not obligatory, it became essential for a Muslim due to its connection to Jewish dietary laws. Similarly, in the context of Hindu beliefs, consuming beef becomes a declaration of faith for Muslims."
Arif criticized Western countries, saying that Jews and Christians in Europe and the United States do not accommodate Muslims by providing halal food in their restaurants, forcing Muslims to establish separate halal eateries.
He argued that if Hindus in Bangladesh require alternatives, they should open their own restaurants instead of depriving Muslims of their rights in so-called Muslim establishments.
He warned that any restaurant not serving at least one beef dish would be labelled as Hindutva-aligned and an agent of India and would face a nationwide boycott.
