Minister Vanniarasu had said during an inspection of the Saidapet M.C. Raja Social Justice Students’ Hostel that, just as chicken and mutton are being provided to students in Social Justice hostels, the provision of beef would be discussed and considered in consultation with officials.
Meanwhile, New Tamil Nadu Party leader Krishnasamy has condemned Vanniarasu. In a post he released on this, he said, "In Tamil Nadu, under the Social Justice Department, thousands of residential schools and hostels are functioning for school and college students to stay and study.
Based on the principle that the physical and mental health of school students must be maintained and protected, during the time we served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly from 1996 to 2001, we continuously raised our voice, and this led to the monthly fee being increased threefold from just 150 rupees to 450 rupees.
As a result, quality food was provided to the students. Now, nearly 30 years have passed since then. Based on today’s cost-of-living needs, the students’ food fee has been increased significantly.
In general, protein should be included in food provision in significant amounts. Proteins, vitamins, minerals, and fats should all be included in the right proportions. To ensure that, we have been consistently insisting on providing eggs every day and chicken and mutton at least twice a week.
Food habits vary from individual to individual, family to family, and community to community. Among non-vegetarian lovers, most people prefer and accept chicken and mutton. Beef is not a common food in Tamil Nadu; it is not part of our culture either. It is a habit followed by certain individuals, families, and communities. It is their personal choice.
However, Vanniarasu has brought his personal preference that the provision of beef in social justice hostels where students from diverse backgrounds study will be considered into a public debate, as though it were a demand made by some students.
We believe that Vanniarasu, also known as Jeyaraj, would not make such a mistaken and perverse decision. Speaking in public in the past in his capacity as an office-bearer of an organization is one thing. Organizing a beef mela is something else; we had condemned that then itself. But now, while sitting in a ministerial position, one should not attempt to impose one’s personal likes and dislikes on the entire society.
His statement that ‘beef’ would be considered in student hostels is wrong; criminal; condemnable; punishable. It is not worthy of being considered in any way. He must immediately withdraw that statement about beef.
We are obliged to warn that if he engages in any action to implement it, he may face unexpected severe consequences, and even a situation may arise in which he will not be able to remain seated in the cabinet. Therefore, I strongly urge Vanniarasu to immediately withdraw his beef-meat statement," he said in condemnation.