Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)
Bengaluru, Dec 29: Speaking at the Congress Foundation Day programme here on Monday December 28, former chief minister Siddaramaiah, said that he will eat beef if he wishes to do so. "Who are they to tell me what I have to eat and what I should not. Selection of food is my right," he insisted.
He was speaking at the Congress Foundation Day programme held here on Monday December 28. He said he does not pressurize anyone to eat a particular food or desist from something else. He reminded the people that he had said in the state assembly in the past that if certain people do not want to eat a particular kind of food, it is left to them. "They are free to choose what they eat. I do not force them on this issue. But they have no right to stop me from eating something, "he stated.
He recollected that prevention of cow slaughter act was enforced in 1986 when there was no BJP government. He felt that the BJP has tabled the new bill now in order to destroy the farmers. Congress party activists should be clear in their minds about this fact, he added.
Siddaramaiah expressed dissatisfaction about the fact that when the BJP leaders branded him as an opponent of Gau Mata, his own party activists and leaders were sitting in silence. He questioned their behaviour and insisted that they should have supported him.
He said the Congress can grow only if its workers have commitment towards the party's ideological principles like social justice, universal brotherhood and various other things the party had stood for all these years. He said that any kind of 'dilemma' about any issue is not good for anybody.
"When it comes to our party, it is even more true. We should have ideological dilemmas of any sorts. Each worker should introspect about why she/he is a Congress worker? Then there will be more clarity," he explained.
Siddaramiah said Congress workers must spread this message that the party Congress believed in Hindutva that was practiced and preached by enlightened souls like Mahatma Gandhi and Gopal Krishna Gokhale.
"These leaders never used religion as a tool to achieve their political agenda, but whereas BJP and RSS does it to achieve its political agenda. Congress workers must expose this," he urged.
He further added that Congress had been firm in its commitment to Social justice and hence tried to ensure it by implementing reservation to marginalised sections.
"This was opposed vehemently by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh backed parties since then.
He further added that it is with commitment to ensure grassroots level governance, late prime minister. Rajiv Gandhi brought 73rd and 74th Constitutional amendment to implement Panchayat Raj.
"These amendments ensured reservation to women and backward classes but it is BJP that had unequivocally opposed the system of reservation. Therefore, the party workers must have clarity in their thoughts and try to address issues that can easily be countered," he explained.
He added that the basic structure of the Constitution, which is also Congress's ideology, is under threat by divisive forces through their false and diabolical narratives.
"It is in the hands of Congress party workers to ensure that the right message reaches every Indian. Congress party was founded to provide a platform for all Indians to voice their opinion against the oppression of British. It ensured fair space to all sections of the society to present their views. The party never came into existence just for the power," he appealed.
Interestingly Siddarmaiah's statement comes on a day when the state cabinet decided to promulgate an ordinance to give effect to the contentious anti-cow slaughter bill that is yet to be approved by the legislative council.
Once it comes into effect, there will be a blanket prohibition of slaughter of cows in the state. However, the slaughter houses will continue to function and beef consumption will not be prohibited with respect to buffalo meat.
With Inputs from IANS