There shouldn’t be complete ban on beef: Athawale

New Delhi, Aug 30 (PTI) A day after suggesting that peopleshould be allowed to eat meat of bulls and bullocks as asource of protein, union minister Ramdas Athawale todayopposed a complete ban on beef saying farmers will suffer. The Social Justice Minister said it will be economicallydifficult for farmers to keep cows and bulls which are of nouse. However, he said the cow is an auspicious animal and therecould be a temporary ban during auspicious days. "Cow is auspicious for Hindus and we should respectthat…but other animals like bulls and even cows also whichare not giving milk, are usually sold by farmers. "So if there is a complete ban on beef, then farmerscannot sell and it will be economically difficult for them tokeep these animals. Therefore, we oppose that," Athawale saidhere on the sidelines of an event. He added that there can be a temporary ban for few days asper specific religions. "We totally oppose complete ban on beef. But, there couldbe ban for 2-4 days during the auspicious days of somespecific religions to take care of their emotions," he added. Athawale’s remarks came in the wake of Delhi BJP MP UditRaj’s comment that Jamaican athlete Usain Bolt went on to winnine Olympic golds despite being born in poverty after histrainer advised him to eat beef twice a day. Athawale had opposed the Maharashtra government’s decisionto ban beef last year. His remarks hold significance as last month self-appointedcow vigilantes had assaulted Dalits who make a living out ofskinning dead cows. PTI JTR KUN ZMNKUN