Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Police Academy on Monday dismissed reports of a ban on beef on its campus and said the dish along with mutton have been excluded from the menu for new trainees based on dietitian's instructions.

Reacting to reports in a section of media that beef had been banned in the police canteen, academy Director B Sandhya, ADGP, said there was no such prohibition on the popular dish and dubbed the controversy a "media creation".

"Not only beef, but mutton is not included in the new menu issued. The menu was prepared according to the directions of the dietitians," she said.

The controversy surfaced close on the heels of the storm over a "beef fry" tweet by the Kerala Tourism on 'Makarasankranti' day last month.

"Tender chunks of beef, slow-roasted with aromatic spices, coconut pieces, and curry leaves. A recipe for the most classic dish, Beef Ularthiyathu, the stuff of legends, from the land of spices, Kerala," the tweet read along with a recipe link.

A section of Twitter users had expressed their displeasure over the timing of the tweet as it was posted on a Hindu festival.

Slamming the state, BJP MP Shobha Karandlaje had said the "Kerala communist govt have declared a war against Hindus of the state!", but the the CPI(M)-led LDF government clarified later its aim was not to hurt anyone's religious beliefs.

 

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New Delhi, Nov 14: India on Thursday said it will pursue an extradition request with Canada for Arsh Singh Gill alias Arsh Dalla, the de-facto chief of the Khalistan Tiger Force, following his arrest in that country.

Dalla was designated in India as a terrorist in 2023.

In July 2023, India had requested the Canadian government for his provisional arrest.

"In view of the recent arrest, our agencies will be following up on an extradition request," Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.

"Given Arsh Dalla's criminal record in India and his involvement in similar illegal activities in Canada, it is expected that he will be extradited or deported to face justice in India," he added.

Dalla was reportedly arrested by the Canadian Police late last month.

"We have seen media reports circulating since November 10 on the arrest in Canada of proclaimed offender Arsh Singh Gill alias Arsh Dalla, the de-facto chief of the Khalistan Tiger Force," Jaiswal said.

"Canadian print and visual media have widely reported on the arrest. We understand that the Ontario Court has listed the case for hearing," he added.

Jaiswal was replying to media queries regarding the arrest of Dalla.

"Arsh Dalla is a proclaimed offender in over 50 cases of murder, attempt to murder, extortion and terrorist acts, including terror financing. In May 2022, a Red Corner Notice was issued against him," Jaiswal said.

"He was designated in India as an individual terrorist in 2023. In July 2023, the Government of India had requested the Canadian government for his provisional arrest. This was declined," he added.

Jaiswal said India had provided additional information in the case to the Canadian authorities.

"A separate request was also sent to Canada under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) to verify Arsh Dalla's suspected residential address, his financial transactions to India, moveable/immovable properties, details of mobile numbers etc - all of which were provided to Canadian authorities in January 2023," Jaiswal said.

"In December 2023, the Department of Justice of Canada sought additional information on the case. A reply to these queries was sent in March this year," he added.