Kolkata: Beef Dishes No Longer Available at Nizam's Restaurant

In the culinary history of Kolkata, Nizam's is not just a restaurant, but an integral part of the city's heritage. For generations, the hot kebab rolls, steaming kebabs, and special beef dishes of this old eatery at the busy Esplanade crossing have been deeply intertwined with the memories of Bengalis. Yet, the popular beef dishes are no longer available at Nizam's.

For the past few days, many customers visiting the restaurant have been told that beef rolls and other beef dishes are temporarily unavailable. Those associated with the restaurant stated that the decision was made due to a shortage in the supply of meat.

As the news spread, disappointment and discussions began brewing among the city's food enthusiasts.

This crisis is not limited to Nizam's alone; several other well-known restaurants in Park Street and Central Kolkata are facing the same issue. Business circles claim that administrative strictness regarding cattle slaughter and meat supply has recently increased. Meat is no longer reaching the market easily without livestock health inspections, document verification, and compliance with specific regulations.
Surveillance has also increased in Kolkata's authorized slaughterhouses. It is alleged that regular supply is being disrupted because of this. However, the administration is citing public health as the reason. They claim that these strict rules have been implemented keeping the health of the general public in mind, as selling meat without inspection poses a risk of spreading diseases.

Business owners have also taken a major hit due to such sudden and strict regulations. They complain that these rules are directly impacting the restaurant industry and the livelihoods of thousands of workers.

Old restaurants and their traditional dishes carry the essence of Kolkata's food culture. If those flavors are lost, the very character of the city will change. For many people, a beef roll from Nizam's is not just food, but a piece of Kolkata's history.

Some are blaming the policies of the newly elected BJP government in West Bengal for this situation. They allege that ever since the BJP came to power, strict bans on cattle slaughter, obstacles in buying and selling, and a trend of closing down one cattle market after another have increased in the state.

Furthermore, several incidents of assault have taken place over the past few days involving the interception of vehicles transporting cattle. There have also been allegations of people being assaulted by BJP workers while returning after purchasing cattle. Critics believe that because of these factors, pressure is gradually building up on people's dietary habits.