Congress has called as misleading and inflammatory, BJP leader Narendra Modi's statement that the Centre is promoting slaughter of cows and export of beef. Asking Modi to exercise prudence and restraint while commenting on sensitive issues of public policy, Congress spokesperson and Union Minister Anand Sharma termed the allegation as inaccurate. He told reporters in New Delhi yesterday that cow slaughter is prohibited in the country and meat production is largely a by-product of livestock production.

Sharma said, he has written to Modi reminding him of the factual position. He maintained that a ban on meat production or export will lead to an abnormal rise of unproductive animals which is inconsistent with sound animal husbandry practices.