New Delhi:
Cracks appeared in Bhartiya Janata Party after two ministers ()Kiran Rijiju and Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi) of the party were seen involving in a political slugfest over beef ban issue.
Another BJP leader Yogi Adityanath also joined the controversy by saying, "Majority of the countrymen are in consideration with the beef ban. We should respect the feelings of a religious community. Beef should be completely banned. There would be some positive steps on it. People have their own opinion and faith. Import and export of beef should be banned."
On Wednesday the beef ban controversy took another turn when Union Home Minister Kiran Rijiju on Wednesday took a dig at his ‘colleague’ Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi.
Speaking to reporters, Rijiju said that his colleagues’ comments are "unpalatable".
He added, "I eat beef, I'm from Arunachal Pradesh, can somebody stop me? So let us not be touchy about somebody's practices."
Calling it a sentimental subject, Rijiju mentioned, “Maharashtra being a Hindu majority state can make such laws which are conducive to the Hindu faith, but in north eastern states majority of people eat beef. So one should honour the sentiments of each place and each location.”
He even went to the extent of calling Naqvi’s statement "not good".
“A leader must respect the cultures, traditions, habits and sentiments of all the people in the country,” Rijiju said.
Earlier, Justice Markandey Katju also slammed Naqvi on the similar issue.
While speaking at a media conclave, Naqvi said, "It is not about loss or profit... it is an issue of faith and belief. Jowever, those who are dying without eating beef, can go to Pakistan or Arab countries or any other part of world where it is available." he said.
The statement was made by Naqvi while countering AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi in the Parliament. Beef ban was imposed across India, especially in states like Goa, Jammu and Kashmir and Kerala and Maharashtra.
