BJP MP triggers row with beef remarks, clarifies

New Delhi, Aug 29 (PTI) BJP MP and Dalit leader Udit Rajtoday triggered a row after he tweeted that champion Jamaicanathlete Usain Bolt went on to win nine Olympics gold despitebeing born in poverty after his trainer advised him to eatbeef twice a day. His tweet raised a few eyebrows within the party, which isavowedly against beef consumption, and drew sharp responsefrom the right-leaning people on Twitter, prompting him toclaim that his comments were "misconstrued" and that they weremeant to "inspire" Indian athletes and convey that they canexcel in adverse circumstances. "Usain Bolt of Jamaica was poor and trainer advised him toeat beef both the times and he scored 9 gold medals inOlympics," the Lok Sabha member from North West Delhi tweeted. As a row erupted, he tried to scotch it, saying that hemerely repeated what Bolt had said and all that he meant wasIndia athletes can find a way to excel despite adversities andthey should not blame circumstances for their failures. "All I wanted to say that giving excuses that we don’thave infrastructure or there is corruption should be done awaywith and lesson, dedication should be learnt from UsainBolt… What I wanted to say is our players should find waysand means as he found ways and means," he said, adding thereis no lack of facilities for sports persons here. The government spends huge money on them compared tonations like Jamiaca or Kenya, he said, steering clear of anymention of beef. A statement from his office later said he did not commenton anything related to consumption of beef, but his tweet isnow being misconstrued and misinterpreted by some mediaoutlets to say that he advocates consumption of beef. "Udit Raj is well aware that food habits cannot bedictated to anyone, both as per our social traditions as wellas per the provisions of the Constitution of India. "He was saddened to learn that his views were moremisunderstood than understood. This statement is being issuedto elaborate his views on the subject and put an end to thisartificially created controversy," it said. PTI KRSC