C T Ravi caught fresh row for visiting temple after fish meal in Bhatkal

KARWAR: Bharatiya Janata Party national general secretary C T Ravi was caught in a fresh controversy for entering the Nagabana and Karibanta Hanuman temple near old bus stand in Bhatkal along with MLA Sunil Naik and the temple management committee members, after having a fish meal at the latter’s house in Shirali on February 19.

Photographs of Ravi eating with other MLAs have gone viral on social media, leading to an uproar.

After the photos started doing the rounds on social media, Congress leaders are questioning BJP leaders who had opposed Siddaramaiah when he had visited Sri Kshethra Dharmasthala after eating non-vegetarian food.

However, clarifying over the allegations that he visited the temple after eating fish, C T Ravi said in Mandya, “I am born in a meat-eating community. But I did not go to the temple after eating meat. When I went to Bhatkal, some people told me to visit the newly built Nagabana. It was not opened to the public even after 45 days after its completion. We had darshan of Lord Naga from the courtyard of the Nagabana. I have never gone to a temple after having non-vegetarian food. Some people are doing this just to create a controversy. I observe vrata (vows) and perform puja. I eat meat, but I will never show off like Siddaramaiah and I will not speak like him. Their’s was arrogant response whereas mine is a polite request”.

Following the controversy, MLA Sunil Naik clarified over phone that Ravi did not consume meat, but only had vegetarian food.

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Reacting to C T Ravi’s ‘arrogant anwer’ remark, Opposition leader Siddaramaiah said, “People have now realised that C T Ravi lied to everyone. This is like the Bhagavad Gita from the mouth of a devil. He has no clear thoughts. Eating meat or going temple after eating meat, or not eating meat, are not issues at all. Putting a naama (tilak), visiting temples, talking about Tipu Sultan, Rani Abbakka, Gandhiji, Godse are not important. Relevant issues are those related people and society and we will only talk about development”.