Karnataka Congress Leader Says Savarkar 'Ate Beef', 'Wasn't Against Cow Slaughter'; BJP Fumes

Karnataka Health Minister and Congress leader Dinesh Gundu Rao has ignited a controversy with his remarks about Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, claiming that Savarkar was a non-vegetarian and did not oppose cow slaughter.

At an event in Bengaluru commemorating Gandhi Jayanti, Rao asserted that Savarkar not only consumed beef but also promoted the practice publicly.

Photo Credit: PTI

He stated that despite being a Brahmin, Savarkar did not follow traditional dietary restrictions, calling him a modernist, reported India Today.

"Savarkar was a Brahmin, but he ate beef and was a non-vegetarian. He did not oppose cow slaughter; in fact, he was quite a modernist on that topic," Rao remarked.

Rao contrasted Savarkar's ideology with that of Mahatma Gandhi, stating that while Gandhi was a strict vegetarian and held conservative Hindu beliefs, Savarkar's views leaned toward fundamentalism.

"Gandhi was a strict vegetarian with a deep belief in Hindu cultural conservatism. He was a democratic person in his approach," Rao said, emphasising the clear ideological differences between the two leaders.

Rao also touched upon Muhammad Ali Jinnah, describing him as representing another extreme. He suggested that Jinnah was not a hard-core Islamist and noted claims that Jinnah consumed pork.

Rao commented, "Jinnah became an icon for Muslims. He was never a fundamentalist, but Savarkar was."

The BJP swiftly responded to Rao's statements. BJP leader R Ashok questioned why the Congress consistently targets Hindus.

"Congress' God is Tipu Sultan. Why are you Congress people always targeting Hindus? Why not Muslims? The Congress mindset is like this. Hindus have given a verdict in the elections. Every Hindu will teach them a lesson," Ashok said.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also condemned the Congress, accusing them of continuing a narrative started by Rahul Gandhi.

"These people do not know anything about Savarkar. They insult Savarkar ji again and again. Savarkar ji has expressed his views on cows very well. He has said that the cow helps the farmer from his birth till his death, hence we have given the status of a god to the cow," Fadnavis remarked.

Rahul Gandhi was recently summoned by a court in Nashik, Maharashtra, in a defamation case related to his comments about Savarkar, in which he allegedly said, "Savarkar is BJP and RSS Jin" and that Savarkar "with folded hands prayed for release and later promised to work for the British Government."

The complainant argued that these statements were made to defame Savarkar.