Jumping into the beef controversy that erupted in the wake of BJP MP Udit Raj’s twitter post over 9-time Olympic gold medallist Usain Bolt eating beef twice a day, Union minister of state for social justice Ramdas Athawale has said that if a person wants, he should be allowed to eat beef.
"Beef is certainly a source of protein and people prefer it because it is cheaper than mutton. Although I have never consumed beef, I know for a fact that my ancestors ate beef and were strong as a result. Everyone should eat what they like," Athawale, the Republican Party of India (Athawale) supremo was quoted as saying by DNA.
Ramdas Athawale, however, does not fully agree with Udit Raj’s remarks on Usain Bolt. Extending only 50% support to what Udit Raj said, Athawale pointed out that it’s not that only beef-eating sportsmen have won medals.
“Bolt is a big sports personality and I agree 50% with Udit Raj that eating beef has made him strong and thus he could win medals. But if we see it in a larger perspective, there are sportsmen who do not eat beef or eat just mutton or are simply vegetarians but won awards,” Athawale was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.
Distinguishing beef from cow-meat, Athawale pointed out that farmers should be allowed to sale aged and unproductive buffalows for earning a livelihood.
“Cow slaughter is already banned … Farmers who have buffaloes, which are aged and unproductive, can at least sell them and earn a livelihood,” Athawale said.
BJP MP Udit Raj had created a controversy on Sunday when he tweeted that the trainer of Usain Bolt had advised the 9-time Olympic gold medallist to eat beef both the times.
“Usain bolt of Jamaica was poor and trainer advised him to eat beef both the times and he scored 9 gold medals in Olympic,” Udit Raj tweeted.
However, the BJP MP clarified later on that his statement was not aimed at advocating beef eating.
“My tweet is not even remotely connected to advocate beef eating rather it is reproduction of Bolt trainer statement,” Udit Raj said in another tweet.
“As usain bolt &trainer found ways and means to win medals similarly our players and trainers should do as per their circumstances,” he added.
Today, Udit Raj once again explained that his statement has been misunderstood as ‘beef’ does not mean cow-meat only.
“How educated people can go so wrong understanding beef as cow meet ? Beef means cattle meat may include buffalo etc,” Udit Raj tweeted today.
