After a storm erupted over a 'beef fry' tweet by Kerala Tourism on Makarasankranti day, the CPI(M)-led LDF government on Friday clarified its aim was not to hurt anyone's religious beliefs.
Tourism minister Kadakampally Surendran criticised those who were trying to give a communal colour to the tourism department's tweet on the Kerala delicacy -- 'Beef Ularthiyathu' and said in the southern state none links food with religion.
'Tender chunks of beef, slow-roasted with aromatic spices, coconut pieces, and curry leaves. A recipe for the most classic dish, Beef Ularthiyathu, the stuff of legends, from the land of spices, Kerala,' the tweet read along with a recipe link.
Tender chunks of beef, slow-roasted with aromatic spices, coconut pieces, and curry leaves. A recipe for the most classic dish, Beef Ularthiyathu, the stuff of legends, from the land of spices, Kerala: https://t.co/d7dbgWmlBw pic.twitter.com/aI1Y9vEXJm
— Kerala Tourism (@KeralaTourism) January 15, 2020
Some Twitter users had showed their displeasure as the tweet had appeared on January 15 on Makarsankranti day, a Hindu festival celebrated as Pongal, Bihu and Lohri in other parts of the country.
We will be launching soon a tourism boycott of Kerala unless you delete and aplogize. #BoycottKeralaTourism #BoycottKerala
— Hindu Americans (@HinduAmericans) January 16, 2020
Now I have decided to cancel my possible Kerala visit in the next month... #BoycottKeralaTourism
— Mukesh Pathak (@MukeshPathakji) January 17, 2020
I won't go for Kerala anymore#BoycottKeralaTourism https://t.co/AagruL0lZW
— Abhishek (@AbhishekAchar9) January 16, 2020
Surendran said those trying to communalise the matter were the ones who were creating a controversy by saying that pictures of pork dishes should also be uploaded by the department.
This is nothing but provocation. You people don't want people from North India to visit Kerala? Why this beef promotion? People visit to Kerala just to eat beef? Try promoting Pork for a change, you will get a taste of your medicine.
— Pramod Kumar Singh (@SinghPramod2784) January 15, 2020
Will you tweet about eating pork on Eid?
— Hindu Americans (@HinduAmericans) January 16, 2020
Try promoting Pork also. you will get a taste of your medicine.
— प्रशान्त पटेल उमराव (@ippatel) January 16, 2020
Shameless!
Various dishes made of pork are already on the website, he pointed out.