Beating up party members for their lack of courage to speak out on certain issues, senior congressional leader and former prime minister Siddaramaiah recalled on Monday his earlier statement that he liked cattle meat, while claiming that the habit of eating it was his right. “I once said in the assembly that I eat cattle, who are you to ask? It is my right, the eating habit is my right, who are you to question? If you do not eat, leave it, I am not going to force you .
Like because I like it, who do you ask? Do you need courage to say this? “Siddaramaiah said. Speaking at the Congress founding day event, he said, many of his party colleagues hesitate to speak or take a position on issues for fear of consequences or backlash.
“… our people keep quiet creating a feeling that what others say is correct. You should come out of such confusion, please,” said Siddaramaiah, referring to the anti-cow slaughter bill. Where will the farmer send old cattle like cows, buffalo, he said, noting that caring for a cow or a buffalo costs around 100 rupees a day?
“Who will give that money? Farmers love cows too,” he added.
Siddarmaiah’s statement comes on a day when the state cabinet decided to enact an ordinance to give effect to the contentious anti-cow slaughter bill that has yet to be passed by the legislative council.
Once it goes into effect, there will be a total ban on the slaughter of cows in the state, however, slaughterhouses will continue to operate and the consumption of beef will not be prohibited with respect to buffalo meat. Siddaramaiah, leader of the opposition in the state assembly, had recently expressed regret over his alleged comments that the Kodavas eat beef, for which he was attacked, saying that he has great respect for the Kodava people and their culture.
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