New Delhi: Softening its stand, senior RSS leader J Nanda Kumar said non-vegetarian food is not a taboo and cannot be banned in the country but beef should be avoided
Kumar, head of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) intellectual wing Pragya Pravha, hastened to add that this was his personal opinion and not of the Sangh.
He said his organization and several other Sangh affiliates are organizing a three-day conclave of intellectuals titled ‘Lokmanthan’ from September 20 in Guwahati to “celebrate the country’s diversity”.
Addressing a press conference, Kumar said the event will be inaugurated by Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar there will be special emphasis on the culture of Northeastern states.
“Some inimical forces are running a sinister campaign against the unity of the country. With the conclave, we want to celebrate our diversity to strengthen our unity,” Kumar said.
Asked about the various food habits prevalent in the country as the Sangh and other saffron outfits are accused by critics of imposing their choices on people, Kumar said, “Non-veg food is not a taboo and it cannot be banned.”
At the same time, he added that this was his personal opinion and not of Sangh.
“Common people eat non-veg food items. You cannot say it is banned in India. As per the climate conditions and geographic locations, people do eat such food,” Kumar told news agency.
He said people in coastal areas and the Northeastern states eat non-veg and it is a “staple diet” for common people there.
On beef, he maintained that there are both compelling scientific and customary reasons that it should be avoided.
Talking about the conclave, Kumar said its valedictory session will be addressed by Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan and RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale.
