Anti-cow Slaughter Bill: 'Food habit my right, who are you to question?' says Siddaramaiah

Senior Congress leer and former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday reiterated his previous statement that he liked cattle meat and asserted that food habit was his right while opposing anti-cow slaughter bill.

Hitting out at his partymen for lacking courage to speak out on certain issues, Siddaramaiah said, "I h once said in assembly that I eat cattle meat, who are you to ask? Food habit is my right, who are you to question? If you don't eat, leave it, I'm not going to force you. I eat because I like, who are you to ask? Do you need courage to say this?" he told fellow Congressmen.

Speaking at party’s foundation day event, Siddaramaiah said that many of his co-workers hesitate to take a stand on certain issues, fearing consequences or backlash. While referring to anti-cow slaughter bill, he said, "...our people stay quiet creating a feeling that what ors are saying is right. You should come out of such confusions, please," Siddaramaiah said. Pointing out that taking care of a cow or a buffalo costs about Rs 100 per day, he asked, “Who will give that money to farmers?”

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Siddarmaiah's remarks came on day when Karnataka cabinet decided to promulgate an ordinance to enact contentious anti-cattle slaughter bill, that is yet to be approved by legislative council. Once it comes into effect, re will be a blanket prohibition of slaughter of cows in state. However, slaughterhouses will continue to function and consumption of buffalo meat will not be prohibited.

Siddaramaiah, Leer of opposition in state assembly, h recently expressed regret for his purported remarks that Kodavas eat beef, for which he is facing flak, saying he has a lot of respect for Kodava people and ir culture.

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Passage of anti-cattle slaughter bill in limbo

anti-cattle slaughter legislation was passed in  Karnataka Legislative Assembly on December 9 amid a walkout from Congress and JD(S) legislators. However, state government deferred tabling this bill in Karnataka Legislative Council reportedly owing to lack of support from JD(S). As session was journed sine dine subsequently, Council was reconvened on December 15 to take up this legislation for passage apart from  no-confidence motion against Chairman K Prathap Chandra Shetty. 

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However, House again h to be journed as an argument broke out between Congress MLCs and treasury benches. Congress cried foul over Council Deputy Chairman SL Dharmegowda occupying Chair inste of K Prathap Chandra Shetty. Moreover, y forcefully dragged Deputy Chairman from seat after which marshals h to be called in to control situation. Accusing BJP legislators of restricting his entry to Council, Shetty contended that happenings of December 15 h brought "disrespect" to House. Meanwhile, BJP and JD(S) MLCs met  Karnataka Governor to apprise him of situation and sought his intervention. 

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