The Haryana government on Thursday removed the editor of Shiksha Sarthi, the bilingual monthly magazine of the state's education department, for publishing an article, which stated beef as being one of the best sources, for absorption of iron in the body, The Times of India reported.
The editor of the magazine, Devyani Singh, has been removed from the post, state education minister Ram Bilas Sharma said, according to the report.
Sharma told TOI that beef in all forms is banned in the state with strict provisions against those violating the law, and that the cow has the "status of mother in India".
"Such an article should not have been published in a Haryana magazine. The editor of the magazine has given a justification that the article was based on scientific research and recommendations. We have relieved the editor from the post and further action would be taken in this concern," Sharma who is also a patron of the magazine told TOI.
Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar is the chief patron of the periodical.
The article titled "Iron: Vital for Strength" appeared in the September 10 issue of Shiksha Sarthi.
According to a PTI report, part of the article that highlights the importance of iron for humans, reads, "The best sources of iron are meat, fish and poultry. Other sources include beans, nuts, dried fruits, green leafy vegetables and iron-fortified breakfast cereals."
It further states that beef, lamb, veal and pork are "enhancers" which help the body absorb iron.
The magazine is circulated in government schools in the state, among both teachers and students.
This edition of the magazine has been recalled from schools and its online version has also been removed from the department's website, the PTI report adds.