Beef-eaters are cannibals, says Ramdas Athawale

Union minister of state for social justice and empowerment Ramdas Athawale said beef-eaters were ‘cannibals’. Athawale was addressing a press meet after the western region conference of his ministry in the city on Thursday.

Addressing the meet, Athawale said, “There is much uproar on the issue of beef across the nation, but I would say beef-eaters are man-eaters or cannibals. I condemn group clashes on any issue, but I can firmly assert that after PM Modi took charge at the centre, incidents of group clashes have decreased. The government has taken measures against those who persecute innocent people in the name of ‘gauraksha’ (cow protection).”

Cabinet minister for social justice and empowerment Thawar Chand Gehlot said action would be taken against the accused in the Nagpur incident where a person was thrashed after being suspected of carrying beef. He also said the accused in the Una Dalit youth flogging incident would be punished. Four Dalit youths in Una town had been badly beaten up after they were suspected of slaughtering a cow. The centre and state government are concerned about the rights of common people, added Gehlot.