'Beef-eating Hindu' tweet lands Rishi Kapoor in a controversy

Published: Friday, March 20, 2015, 13:01 [IST]

New Delhi: Veteran actor Rishi Kapoor is in the midst of controversy over his posts on social networking site twitter regarding beef ban in Maharashtra.

In a series of tweets on Sunday, March 15, Rishi Kapoor tweeted he is beef-eating Hindu.

Kapoor, in his twitter handle @chintkaps, said, "I am angry. Why do you equate food with religion?? I am a beef eating Hindu. Does that mean I am less God fearing then a non eater? Think!!"

This tweet led to a strong reaction from both sides- beef ban supporters and those who are against it. The twitter war further compelled the actor to clarify on his comments. Since Monday, the veteran actor has sent a series of tweets clarifying his stand on the issue.

Earlier this month, the long-pending Maharashtra Bill seeking a ban on cow slaughter received President Pranab Mukherjee's assent.

As per this new law anyone found selling or possessing beef, can be jailed for five years and fined Rs 10,000.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis too expressed happiness over President Pranab Mukherjee's decision for giving his assent to the bill.

A delegation of seven state BJP MPs led by Kirit Somaiya, (MP from Mumbai North) had met the President in New Delhi recently and submitted a memorandum seeking assent to the bill.

The memorandum said that the Maharashtra Animal Preservation (Amendment) Bill, 1995, passed during the previous Shiv Sena-BJP regime, was pending for approval for 19 years.

The legislation, entitled Maharashtra Animal Preservation Amendment Bill, 1995, was submitted for Presidential assent through a letter dated January 30, 1996.