Basavaraj Bommai, the Chief Minister of Karnataka, stated that the state government will investigate the “serious objections” to “halal” meat. Several Hindu organisations have urged for a boycott of halal beef products ahead of Karnataka’s Ugadi celebrations. Ugadi is a New Year ceremony observed in areas of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana, where meat is typically consumed a day after the feast.
At a press conference, Bommai responded to questions by saying that the government “had to study (the issue) in its entirety. It has nothing to do with rules. It was a practice that was going on. Now, serious objections are raised. We will take a look into it.”
According to Bommai, the administration would shortly explain its position on the subject. He said that there were numerous such initiatives by other right-wing organisations. “We will respond to those which require a response,” he said.
It may be noted that Hindu right-wing organisations have begun a campaign in the state to ban ‘halal’ meat. C T Ravi, the BJP’s general secretary, has called ‘halal’ meat a ‘economic Jihad’ conducted by the Muslim community.
Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, a Hindu activist group, has also begun a nationwide campaign calling for a ban on Halal items. “Halal is an economic jihad,” stated CT Ravi, the national general secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). It was placed in place to prevent Muslims from doing business with non-Muslims, which was forced on them.”
The demands of right-wing groups did not persuade the state administration, the CM claimed. The administration has neither right or left wings, according to Bommai, because its sole wings are development, peace, and security for the people.
