Hindu hardliner calls Kerala flood ‘chastisement for sin of cow eating’
Swami Chakrapani Maharaj urges Hindus not to provide relief to cow eaters
Swami Chakrapani Maharaj. PHOTO COURTESY: THE INDIAN EXPRESS
While a southern Indian state is reeling from a catastrophic deluge, the leader of a hard-line Hindu organisation has appealed to the government and Hindus in general not to provide relief to survivors who eat beef.
Swami Chakrapani Maharaj, the president of the All India Hindu Mahasaba, a hardline Hindu nationalist organisation, was apparently referring to the Muslim and Christian communities as cows are a revered animal among Hindus.
According to India’s UCAnews.com, monsoon-induced devastating floods have swamped Kerala state, killing an estimated 400 people. Another 1.3 million have been displaced seeking refuge in relief camps where they subsist on donations.
Over 1,200 people killed in South Asia monsoon
Chakrapani recently said in a video message aired by India Today that those who slaughter cows and consume its meat should not be given relief of any sort.
Facebook – video
[/fbvideo]
While Catholic groups have poured in to help, with 41 dioceses in the state opening schools and other institutions to accommodate survivors, Chakrapani said it would be a “major sin to give any relief and support to those flood sufferers who are beef eaters”.
“Before giving any assistance, one should ask the victim whether they have ever eaten cow meat, and then in accordance with their answer, relief should be decided on,” he added in the message.
Aid can only be dispensed to beef-eating flood victims who consent to sign a legally binding form promising they will refrain from consuming beef for the rest of their lives, he added.
“It is not just because of some untimely monsoon. The state of Kerala has been stuck with nature's fury because of the sins of beef eaters,” Chakrapani. “All this has happened because of them,” he added.
Flood toll in India's Kerala rises to 445
Since Narendra Modi’s ascension to power, cow slaughter has been banned in most Indian states but Kerala is in the minority as beef is legally available there and serves as a regular staple for Christian and Muslim communities.
Zainab Khan, a Kerala native, ridiculed the Hindu leader on Twitter, saying the people of Kerala will not entertain such rants.
"We do not need your support ... don't waste your energy even on taking the name of Kerala!! There are people with a bigger heart than you and your followers!" Zainab wrote.
Swami Chakrapani Maharaj, the president of the All India Hindu Mahasaba, a hardline Hindu nationalist organisation, was apparently referring to the Muslim and Christian communities as cows are a revered animal among Hindus.
According to India’s UCAnews.com, monsoon-induced devastating floods have swamped Kerala state, killing an estimated 400 people. Another 1.3 million have been displaced seeking refuge in relief camps where they subsist on donations.
Over 1,200 people killed in South Asia monsoon
Chakrapani recently said in a video message aired by India Today that those who slaughter cows and consume its meat should not be given relief of any sort.
Facebook – video
[/fbvideo]
While Catholic groups have poured in to help, with 41 dioceses in the state opening schools and other institutions to accommodate survivors, Chakrapani said it would be a “major sin to give any relief and support to those flood sufferers who are beef eaters”.
“Before giving any assistance, one should ask the victim whether they have ever eaten cow meat, and then in accordance with their answer, relief should be decided on,” he added in the message.
Aid can only be dispensed to beef-eating flood victims who consent to sign a legally binding form promising they will refrain from consuming beef for the rest of their lives, he added.
“It is not just because of some untimely monsoon. The state of Kerala has been stuck with nature's fury because of the sins of beef eaters,” Chakrapani. “All this has happened because of them,” he added.
Flood toll in India's Kerala rises to 445
Since Narendra Modi’s ascension to power, cow slaughter has been banned in most Indian states but Kerala is in the minority as beef is legally available there and serves as a regular staple for Christian and Muslim communities.
Zainab Khan, a Kerala native, ridiculed the Hindu leader on Twitter, saying the people of Kerala will not entertain such rants.
"We do not need your support ... don't waste your energy even on taking the name of Kerala!! There are people with a bigger heart than you and your followers!" Zainab wrote.