'If Hindu, then why promote eating beef?' Yogi asks Siddaramaiah

Bengaluru, Jan 7: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday sought to know from his Karnataka counterpart Siddaramaiah if the latter considered himself a Hindu.

If so, then why does Siddaramaiah promote beef-eating?; the UP CM questioned.

Adityanath was addressing a well-attended BJP Nava Karnataka Nirmana Parivartana rally at Vijayanagar, Bengaluru on Sunday.

Adityanath said, "Hinduism is a way of life. It holds high values in esteem. It doesn't allow eating beef. If you (Siddaramaiah) consider yourself a Hindu, then why do you promote eating beef?"

Siddaramaiah at a recent political convention had said, "I am also Hindu and I have Rama in my name. BJP people should refrain from calling me anti-Hindu."

Adityanath said that when the BJP was ruling the state it had proposed to bring in a legislation for complete ban on cow slaughter. But the Congress had opposed the move.

Adiyanath said Siddaramaiah has 'suddenly and 'ahead of the election' realised that he is Hindu .

"The strength of Hindus makes people like Siddaramaiah realise that he is a Hindu. Even (AICC Chief) Rahul Gandhi starts visiting temples," Adityanath quipped.

He accused the ruling Congress in the state of dividing people along religious lines.

Adiyanath had lunch at Adichunchanagiri mutt in Vijayanagar along with its seer Nirmalanandanatha Swami before leaving for Lucknow.

Adichunchanagiri Mutt is said to have close links with the Gorakhnath Mutt in Gorakhpur, where Adityanath was the head priest. Both mutts follow the Nath Pantha, a sub-sect of Shaivism.