Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Mahua Moitra has yet again courted controversy for insinuating that Jains eat non-vegetarian food secretly on the streets of Ahmedabad. She made the contentious remarks during her speech on Thursday (February 3) in the Lok Sabha.
Moitra had accused the Modi government of curbing individual liberties. “You fear a future India which is comfortable in its own skin and conflicting realities. So you fear a future India where a Jain boy can hide from home and enjoy a Kathi Kabab on a street cart in Ahmedabad. So, you forbid non-vegetarian street food in Gujarat municipalities,” she said.
Jains slam Mahua Moitra for hurting religious sentiments
Although the TMC MP hoped to score political brownies by pitching hypothetical stories about the government curbing individual freedom, the Jain community felt attacked at the deliberate targeting by Mahua Moitra. They took to social media to raise their objection against the speech made by the Parliamentarian.
Twitter user Ankit Jain demanded an apology from Moitra for having insulted the ethos of Jains.
Another user, Maggi wrote, “Being a Jain & a strict vegetarian (don’t even eat potato) I am hurt by her outrageous comment for Jains.”
One Parag Jain pointed out, “I am a Jain, TMC Leader Mahua Moitra has hurt my religious sentiments…Do not drag Jains into your petty classless politics. This is insult of the ethos of Jains. I demand apology from Mahua Moitra on behalf of every Jain of India….. Jainam jayati sashanam #shame”
“#ApologizeMoitra. No Jain would want to eat non-veg. Mahua Moitra please don’t insult a community for your political benefits,” emphasised one Tanvi Jain.
Another member of the Jain community demanded an apology from the TMC MP. “I strongly condemn Mahua Moitra for denigrating the Jain community who practices ahimsa & have compassion for each soul. Mahua has hurted our religious sentiments,” wrote one Saurabh Jain.
“She should know that vegetarianism is second nature of Jains, it’s an unremovable part of our DNA. It’s an insulting accusation without truth. Either she apologizes or gets sued,” tweeted Nisha Jain.
Nonviolence is one of the most important principles of Jainism and they practice vegetarianism. So much that they abstain from consuming root vegetables like potato, onion and garlic as uprooting them would harm the organisms in the soil. A section of Jains even observe mourning on Bakri Eid since Muslims slaughter goats on their festival and Jains are pained by the slaughter of innocent animal.
To insinuate that the Jains in Ahmedabad enjoy non-vegetarian food ‘secretly’ has hurt their religious sentiments.
TMC MP had made Hinduphobic remarks in the past
Mahua Moitra is not new to controversies. She has earlier made Hinduphobic jibes of ‘Gaumutra’ to insult the Hindu community. Ahead of her Lok Sabha speech on February 3, TMC MP Mahua Moitra took to Twitter to make the ‘Gaumutra’ jibe at the Modi government.
Tagging the wrong handle to address the BJP, Mahua Moitra tweeted: “Am speaking this evening in Lok Sabha on President’s Address. Just wanted to give early heads up to @BJP to get heckler team ready & read up on imaginary points of order. Drink some gaumutra shots too.” Last year, she created a new controversy by calling India the ‘Susu Potty Republic’. Then too, she had used the cow urine jibe to attack the central government. (OPindia)
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MP Mahna Moitra should spend better time to look after her constituents properly, see what problems they are facing and how she can help them instead of waisting her time to give irritating statements about the jains people. there may be some jains eating meat but she must not say for all the jains. She must appologies for her actions to jain smag.
These TMC politicians do know how to touch a raw nerve. They have sullied a most peaceful and successful community (hence hint of jealousy) in the most pathetic way. Scores of people from each religion will as I write be doing things that are supposedly banned in their faith. The selling of an item in a public place has been driven by local laws. Laws are passed by representatives democratically elected because of the will of the people, the majority of who do not want certain food to be sold in their area; whatever the reason. I would like to turn these wasteful comments on its head and say what will be the reaction of Muslims if it was found out that some from their lot partook drinking. Do not confuse democracy with people’s personal choices. If TMC is so rightful, then stop killing/harassing Hindus and stop bringing illegals from Bangladesh or prove otherwise