BJP workers sprinkle cow urine to "sanitise" Kalamandir after writers eat beef in Mysuru

BJP activists in Mysuru sprinkled cow urine considered - holy - to sanitise Kalamandira in Mysuru after a group of intellectuals ate beef while inaugurating a seminar on food rights here on Sunday. Rationalist Prof KS Bhagwan, former mayor Purushottam and Prof Maheshchandra Guru, Department of Journalism, University of Mysuru were among others who ate beef during the three-day seminar.

Taking a strong objection to it, BJP Parliamentarians BS Yeddyurappa, Shobha Karandlaje and Pratap Simha have condemned it in strong words. Mysuru MP Prathap Simha reacted, "We are not bothered even if they eat dog's meat. But they should do it at their home and not at the government building." Shobha Karandlaje too has written to the Governor urging him to sack Prof Maheshchandra Guru for his actions.

However, Prof Maheshchandra Guru, speaking to a television channel defended his action that the Indian Constitution has not restricted its citizens with regard to one's food habits and it certainly has not stated that beef cannot be consumed. "Scientists world over have vouched for the health benefits of eating beef. So, I continue to eat it in future too and I will not be bogged down by BJP. I have not done anything wrong to the Constitution. Who gave moral right to BJP to protest against us?," he retorted, while speaking to a television channel. Rationlalist Prof KS Bhagwan told Prajavani that "There is nothing wrong in eating beef when it's no crime to eat chicken or mutton. We have not done anything unconstitutional," reports Prajavani.

The Charvaka Social and Cultural Trust that had organised the seminar has come under sharp criticism. Meanwhile, the Kannada and Culture Department has taken the issue very serious as Kalamandira comes under its purview. The department is planning to blacklist the trust in the backdrop of beef eating at the Kalamandir.

Watch video: 

• beef eating
• ban on cattle slaughter