Oppn condemns BJP MP over beef remark

Naveen S Garewal

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 30

The issue of cow protection dominated the Haryana Vidhan Sabha with the opposition uniting to condemn the remarks of sitting BJP MP and Dalit leader Udit Raj on beef consumption. The issue was raised by Zakir Husain, INLD MLA from Nuh, quoting newspapers and television reports that Raj said Olympic champion Usain Bolt ate beef to win nine gold medals.

On the back foot, the treasury benches dodged the demand for a condemnation resolution on the ground that the MP was not in the House to defend himself.

Leader of Opposition Abhay Chautala told the House how every leader like him worshiped “mother cow” and the BJP MP had hurt the sentiments by suggesting consumption of beef to win Olympic medals. “Where was the need to bring the Cow Protection Bill if the government is not really bothered about ‘gau mata’?” he said.

Once some leaders from the treasury benches said Udit Raj had withdrawn his statement, the opposition was unanimous in saying, “First the MP suggests our ‘gau ma’ be eaten and then he withdraws the statement. It is too serious a matter to discuss. A resolution should be passed and sent to the Centre to get an FIR registered against the BJP leader.”

Finance Minister Capt Abhimanyu intervened to say: “Just as earlier remarks against the Rohtak MP, who was not a member of the House, were expunged, the statement of another MP cannot be debated in the House.”

Education and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ram Bilas Sharma read Rule 97 of the rules of running the House to support Capt Abhimanyu. Even Irrigation Minister OP Dhankar intervened to say that a Congress Chief Minister and Governor in Karnataka had made similar comments about eating beef.

Subhash Barala, state BJP president, told the House that he had spoken to Udit Raj a few minutes ago and he had denied having said anything about eating cow meat. He said, “Raj has unconditionally tendered an apology for hurting anyone.” Unsatisfied with the reply, the INLD staged a walkout on the issue saying the government was not serious about the welfare of cows.

Meanwhile, Raj has clarified his position on the social media, saying some people had confused beef for cow meat. “How educated people can go so wrong understanding beef as cow meat? Beef means cattle meat. It may include buffalo etc,” the MP tweeted.

The MP’s comments on Usain Bolt had sparked an outrage on the social media. However, the Dalit leader clarified he was not suggesting cow meat while talking about beef. He said he had merely produced the statement of Bolt’s coach to point out the lack of sporting spirit among athletes in the country.