Steer clear of beef row, ally tells BJP

New Delhi: BJP’s Kerala ally, Janadhipathya Rashtriya Sabha (JRS), has asked the saffron leadership to refrain from getting entangled in controversial issues like the beef ban. JRS leader and a prominent tribal face, C.K. Janu, while addressing the NDA meet on Monday, told BJP leadership that its leaders should avoid making controversial statements on the beef issue as it were creating problems for its allies in the state where cow slaughter is not banned. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also present when the NDA ally made these comments while addressing the gathering. The BJP had to face flak over its contradicting statements on the issue in Northeastern states and Kerala as compared to its stand on the issue in the North.

Ms Janu said instead, NDA leaders should highlight social issues, including those involving upliftment and betterment for dalits, tribals and labour and avoid creating unnecessary controversies. Both the ruling BJP and the Modi government had been facing flak over growing cases of cow vigilantism, including the recent one in BJP-ruled Rajasthan where a 55-year-old man was lynched by a cow vigilantes. Also, RSS supremo Mohan Bhagwat’s recent call for a total ban on cow slaughter across the country drew criticism from BJP’s opponents.

The issue came under the limelight again after the newly-formed Yogi Adityanath-led UP government went after illegal slaughterhouses in the state and Mr Modi’s home state, Gujarat, amending the existing law against cow slaughter and making it more stringent by increasing the maximum jail sentence from the current 3-7 years to 14 years for cow slaughter.

Incidentally, BJP’s Kerala candidate for the byelections in Malappuram, Kerala, had promised voters that he will ensure supply of good beef in the constituency if he gets the votes.