'Savarkar ate beef, wasn't against cow slaughter': Karnataka minister
What's the story
Congress leader and Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao has stirred a controversy with his comments about Vinayak Damodar Savarkar's dietary habits and views on cow slaughter.
Speaking at a book launch event in Bengaluru, Rao stated that Savarkar was not only a meat-eater who consumed beef but also publicly advocated this practice.
"Savarkar was a Brahmin, but he ate beef...He did not oppose cow slaughter; in fact, he was quite a modernist on that topic," Rao said.
Ideological differences
Rao contrasts Savarkar's ideology with Gandhi's
Rao further contrasted Savarkar's views with those of Mahatma Gandhi, highlighting a significant difference in their ideologies.
He described Gandhi as a strict vegetarian deeply rooted in Hindu cultural conservatism and democratic principles, whereas Savarkar's ideology leaned toward fundamentalism.
Rao also touched upon Muhammad Ali Jinnah, stating that he was never a hard-core Islamist and some even claim he ate pork.
Political reactions
Rao's comments on Jinnah and BJP's response
"Jinnah became an icon for Muslims. He was never a fundamentalist, but Savarkar was," Rao said.
These remarks have drawn criticisms, with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader R Ashok questioning why Congress always targets Hindus, while Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis accused Congress of defaming Savarkar.
"Savarkar ji expressed his views on cows very well. He said...cow helps farmer from his birth till his death, hence we have given the status of a god to the cow," Fadnavis said.
Family reaction
Savarkar's grandson responds to Rao's remarks
Ranjit Savarkar, the grandson of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, also responded to Rao's comments.
He accused the Congress of defaming his grandfather as part of a political strategy ahead of elections.
"This is a strategy of Congress to defame Savarkar time and again, particularly when elections are coming...Congress has shown its real face now," he said.