After Hindutva groups in Karnataka called for the boycott of halal meat products, state Chief Minister BS Bommai said on Wednesday, 30 March, that he will investigate the issue as ‘serious objections’ had been raised against halal meat.
"The issue has to be studied in its entirety," Bommai told media persons on Wednesday. "There are no rules as such. It was a practice that was going on. Now, serious objections are raised. We will look into it," he said, reported IANS.
The CM further stated that the government would make their own stand known later. "Various organisations will be doing their own campaigns, we know what to respond to and what not to. Where it is required, we will respond," he said, according to The Hindu.
Kumaraswamy Slams Bommai For Not Taking Action Over the Halal Ban Demand
Meanwhile, Former Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Thursday, slammed right wing activists for demanding the ban, urging people in the rural areas to "not encourage saffron clad Hindutva activists".
"I will not sit quiet with what is happening in the state," he said as per IANS. He later courted controversy by saying that the Chief Minister would take action against the demand and not sit quiet if he has "mardaangi (manliness)."
The saffron party is reportedly gaining momentum in the rural areas of the state which are JD-S stronghold.
Terming activists of Vishva Hindu Parishad and Bajarang Dal, who have taken up halal campaigns, as "anti-social elements", the former chief minister said, "The trend of flaunting saffron shawls and creating disharmony has to stop and it won't be encouraged in the state," he said.
Stating that he is not bothered about the vote bank politics and only wants peace to be established in the state, Kumaraswamy said, "All these years, we have eaten halal meat. What harm has it caused? God did not appear in our dreams, and tell us that we have done wrong. Do not encourage the right-wing activists in the villages."
Kumaraswamy Gets Called Out For 'Mardaangi' Remark, Apologises
Meanwhile, the top leaders of the party who are supporting the ban on halal meat criticised Kumaraswamy for using the word 'mardaangi' for Bommai.
Minister for Revenue R Ashoka stated that the 'mardaangi' reference to an incumbent chief minister did not suit his dignity and statements like this will spoil the harmony in the state.
National General Secretary and BJP legislator CT Ravi, and Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj KS Eshwarappa took a dig at Kumaraswamy over the 'mardaangi' remark by indirectly referring to the past relationship of Kumaraswamy with an actress, reported IANS.
The chief minister, however, maintained that it is not a question of 'mardaangi'. "The government has handled issues efficiently and maintained law and order," Bommai said. Kumaraswamy has since apologised for his 'mardaangi' comment on Bommai.
Demand for Boycott
The Hindu Janajagruti Samiti had earlier called for the boycott of halal meat products during the Ugadi celebrations in the state.
Home Minister Araga Jnanendra said that the call for the boycott of halal products was the result of the Muslim community's protest against the high court's hijab row verdict, wherein it had ruled that students would not be allowed to wear the headscarf to educational institutions.
"One particular community's decision to protest the recent High Court judgment in the hijab row has led to such reactions. I only wish it cools down soon," Jnanendra stated.
BJP functionary CT Ravi had also sought a ban on 'halal' meat, describing it as 'economic Jihad' perpetrated by the Muslim community.
(With inputs from IANS and The Hindu.)
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