Daijiworld Media Network – Dharwad (EP)

Dharwad, Oct 23: Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah justified consumption of meat before visiting the Dharmasthala temple.

Speaking to reporters after Congress conference in Dharwad, he said, “God has not told not to come to the temple after consumption of meat. Bedara Kannappa also had offered meat of the deer to Shiva deity. It is not wrong to go to temple after consumption of meat,”

“Has God asked not to eat meat?” he asked the news reporters.

CM having lunch

Siddaramaiah at Dharmasthala on October 22

The chief minister during the Dakshina Kannada tour on Sunday, Oct 22 had consumed fish meal at Bantwal IB after the programme. He had later paid a visit to Manjunathaswamy after going to Kshetra Dharmasthala.

Ministers Ramanath Rai and U T Khader too had visited the deity. Devotees visiting the deity in Dharmasthala go there without consuming non-vegetarian food. Therefore, the visit by chief minister after eating fish meal had created controversy.