Hyderabad, Mar 25 : A video clipping of a district collector A murali, has gone went viral on the social media network.
In-depth into matter, A Murali, collector of Jayashankar Bhupalpally district, said during a program to mark the World TB Day at Yeturu Nagaram that "Brahminical" culture had affected the eating habits of scheduled castes and tribes, leading to protein deficiency.
"Earlier we ate pork, beef. Now due to some Brahminical forces we are practicing Malas (a religious vow) and stopped eating beef and pork. That is affecting our immune system and leading to diseases such as tuberculosis," he said.
"Some old people are complaining that they are not allowed to eat beef due to restrictions. It is ridiculous. You eat whatever you want to eat," the Collector said.
However, when the video of his speech went viral on social media, some BJP activists blocked a road in Mahadevpur Mandal, demanding the Collector’s suspension.
He had hurt the sentiments of Hindus, especially the Brahmins, they said. The Collector later apologized for using the word "Brahminical".
He was advocating consumption of protein-rich food to keep away diseases like TB, he said.
"TB cases are on rising in the district. Doctors are saying it is due to the weakening of immune system and to overcome it one has to take protein-rich food. Nowadays people don’t eat pork, Goddu Kura (beef) and other meats after taking Deeksha," he said.
"Anyhow, I want to apologize if their feelings are hurt," he said.