Pics: Ramesh Pandith
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)
Mangaluru, Sep 12: Senior Congress leader Janardhan Poojary on Saturday September 12 criticized the BJP-led NDA government at the centre for banning the sale of meat for some days in BJP-ruled states in view of the Jain festival of Paryushan.
Addressng a press meet at the district Congress office here, Poojary said, "BJP has banned meat in five states in the country in order to respect the sentiments of the Jain community. Jains are peace lovers. As far as I know, nowhere in Jain philosphy has it been said that meat should be banned. The BJP is using Jains to try and create communal violence.
"On the one hand PM Modi says we should give importance to unity, and on the other, BJP is targetting the minorities. One can clearly see a dual stand here. The country is not important for BJP - are they patriotic at all?" he questioned.
"India is the biggest exporter of beef in the world, and Gujarat leads in beef export. If meat export is banned the foreign exchange will go down. Being Prime Minister, Modi did not ban meat export. Will the union government ban meat in Goa? The Modi government has no right to decide what people should eat or should not."
"If you (Modi) have courage, ban meat export," challenged Poojary, adding, "The economy of Gujarat is running because of meat export. If meat export is banned, India will become pauper."
He also said that when Congress was in power at the centre, economic stability of the country had improved.
Condemning state BJP's 'Raita Chaitanya Yatre' over farmer suicides, Poojary said, "135 taluks in the state have been hit by drought and there is power shortage also. BJP is saying Karnataka has not demanded power from the centre - this is an utter lie. All MPs from Karnataka should speak out in the parliament on this issue."
He also informed that during Dasara, he would hold Brahmakalashotsava to pray for rain in the state. "All minister should perform prayers for rain," he added.
On the protest against Yettinahole project, he made a veiled reference to D V Sadananda Gowda and Veerappa Moily and said, "Two former CMs should apologise to the people of DK for their mistake. They do not have common sense. When there is no rain in DK district, how can we give water to other districts?"
He also criticized health minister U T Khader for his stand on the issue and said, ""Khader should think before speaking. He says he will call experts to answer questions on Yettinahole project. When he cannot stop the work, why is he calling experts to the district?
Asked if he would join the protests to be held on September 15 and September 19 against the project, Poojary said, "I will not join the protest as people do not want me. They made me sit at home by not voting for me. But two former CMs (Sadananda Gowda and Veerappa Moily) should support the protest.
"The protest should be peaceful, without putting people to inconvenience. No one should suffer and no one should take law into one's hands," he appealed.