One religion cannot impose its ideology on another: K'taka minister on halal meat row
India Today
Minister Eshwarappa said one's religion dictates what to eat and what not to eat and claimed no religion can impose its ideology on another religion, as the row over halal meat escalates in Karnataka.
Bajrang Dal members reportedly distributed leaflets to Hindu-owned businesses asking them to stop buying halal meat ahead of Ugadi festival in Karnataka. According to reports, posters have also sprung up in various places asking Hindu devotees to avoid doing business with Muslim vendors.
As the row over halal meat escalates, Rural Development Minister Eshwarappa said one's religion dictates what to eat and what not to eat and claimed no religion can impose its ideology on another religion.
READ | Halal meat is 'economic jihad': BJP leader CT Ravi
Eshwarappa said, "The religion of an individual decides what to eat, what not to eat. None of the religions can impose its ideology on the other. In Halal, the life of a living being is taken slowly, it’s to give them pain in a slow order. But in Hinduism, life is taken at once [Snap the chicken's neck in a single blow], without giving any pain to the living being. Muslims believe in halal, Hindus believe in jhatka. What is the confusion? If any religion is practicing their ideology, let them do it."
Right-wing groups are of the opinion that since Muslim organisations called for a bandh and closed their businesses after the hijab row verdict, temples shouldn't allow them to do business in their annual fairs.
Earlier, BJP national general secretary CT Ravi had claimed that halal food is akin to “economic jihad”. Karnataka CM Bommai said the government is still looking into the halal meat issue as "serious objections" have now been raised.
Ahead of the Ugadi festival, which falls on April 2, several Right-wing outfits are seeking the removal of halal-certified meat.
