I'm Hindu, will eat beef if I want to, says former Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah

The Opposition leader in Karnataka, Siddaramaiah, on Monday, May 24, reignited the beef ban controversy by saying that he was a Hindu who had not consumed beef till now, but he would eat beef if he wanted to.

While attending a public event in Tumakuru district, the Congress leader, accusing the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) of building barriers between religions, said that beef eaters do not belong to just one community.

"I am a Hindu. I've not consumed beef till now, but if I want to, I will have it. Who are you to question me?" said Siddaramaiah at the event in Tumakuru.

"Beef eaters don't belong to just one community, even Hindus consume beef, Christians consume it as well. Once, I have even said it in the Karnataka assembly. Who are you to tell me to not consume beef?" said Siddaramaiah.