Row over MP’s tweet on Bolt’s beef diet

NEW DELHI: People should be allowed to eat the meat of bulls and bullocks for its high protein, Union minister Ramdas Athawale said on Monday, after BJP parliamentarian

NEW DELHI: People should be allowed to eat the meat of bulls and bullocks for its high protein, Union minister Ramdas Athawale said on Monday, after BJP parliamentarian Udit Raj linked sprint legend Usain Bolt’s success to beef.

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Both Dalit leaders touched an emotive issue as many states have banned the eating of beef and slaughter of cows, considered sacred in Hinduism, and self-styled cattle protectors have stepped up efforts to impose the prohibition.

Raj, who represents North West Delhi in the Lok Sabha, was trolled for his Twitter post that Jamaican sprinter Bolt won nine Olympic medals because of his beef diet. He clarified later, saying he cited Bolt’s example to suggest athletes should beat adversities and excel, instead of blaming circumstances for their failures.

“Usain Bolt of Jamaica was poor and trainer advised him to eat beef both the times…,” he tweeted, suggesting the champion ate beef twice a day. But “it’s 200% wrong to interpret my comment as an endorsement of beef-eating”, he said afterwards.

Junior social justice minister Athawale agreed “50%” with Raj’s remarks, saying if people want, they should be allowed to eat beef.

“Cow slaughter is already banned … Farmers who have buffaloes, which are aged and unproductive, can at least sell them and earn a livelihood,” said the RPI(A) leader, an NDA constituent.