'Eating Non-Veg During Saawan, Navratri': As PM Modi Slams Oppn, A Look Back On Viral Videos That Sparked Row

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday attacked Opposition’s ‘Mughal mindset’ for eating non-vegetarian food during auspicious months of ‘Saawan’ and Navratri’, when most Hindu families restrict to pure vegetarian food. The prime minister added that he knows the opponents will be after him with “goli-barood” (arms and ammunition) and abuses after his statement. But it’s his “duty in a democracy to show people the real side of situations”.

“Congress and the INDIA bloc do not care about the feelings of most Indians. The love playing with people’s feelings. One of their leaders visited an ally — who is a convict and is out on bail — to cook mutton during the month of ‘Saawan’. They also instigated beliefs of Indian by shooting videos,” PM Modi said in Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur.

“The law doesn’t stop anyone from eating anything, and neither Modi does. All are free to have veg and non-veg whenever they want. However, the motive of these people (members of INDIA bloc) is different. Their objective is similar to Mughals, who did not get satisfaction by just defeating the kings in India. They achieved contentment only when they destroyed temples,” the prime minister added.

Comparing the mindset of Opposition leaders to Mughals, PM Modi further said that the INDIA bloc leaders are using the same ideology, and shooting video and and provoking Indians. “And this is how they want to ensure their votebank,” he added.

Who is PM Modi Talking About?

1. Rahul Gandhi and Lalu Prasad Yadav: A video of Rahul Gandhi cooking Champaran mutton with Lalu Prasad Yadav at the latter’s New Delhi residence went viral in September last year. The BJP had then said that Gandhi hurt Hindu sentiments by cooking and eating mutton during the month of ‘Saawan’ when Hindus observe strict vegetarianism.

Though the video was released on September 2 after the end of Saawan, the meeting took place in August when Sawan was on, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra wrote on X after the video went viral.

Hitting out at ‘theatrics of Janeudhaari Brahmin‘, Patra said, “Rahul Gandhi meets Lalu Yadav on August 4th and suddenly, they’re MasterChefs cooking mutton. But they conveniently waited for Saawan to end before showing us their ‘culinary skills’. How’s that for timing?”

2. Tejashwi Yadav: Two days ago a video of Tejashwi Yadav, Lalu Yadav’s son and former Bihar deputy CM, went viral where he was seen eating fish with Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) chief Mukesh Sahani.

After being attacked for having ‘non-veg during Navratri’, Tejashwi claimed that the video was of April 8, and he deliberately posted it late to check the “IQ” of BJP leaders, who have “no knowledge and never talk about real issues like unemployment, migration and poverty”.

Reactions After PM Modi’s Statement

Reacting to PM Modi’s charges, former Bihar deputy CM said, “During election every type of video goes viral. It’s not like we are doing it deliberately.”

RJD MP Manoj Jha also responded to PM’s comments and said, “What is happening? Your leaders fell into the trap, and now you too? The video is of April 8, and has no connection with Navratri. Why not talk about jobs? You came to power with promise of two crore jobs every year. What happened to that now? Why are you silent on it? You are silent on jobs, better healthcare. But fish is all that you can see. Diverting from main issues will not do anymore. This can’t be expected from at least the prime minister.”