New Delhi, Sep 24 (NationPress) A new political controversy has surfaced as Madhya Pradesh Congress president Jitu Patwari accused the BJP of enabling cow slaughter and argued that this was the reason why India has become the world's top beef exporter.

The uproar began when Patwari charged the BJP government with abolishing all GST on beef and questioned the party's commitment to safeguarding cows while purportedly promoting the beef industry.

"The BJP government has instituted a 0 percent GST on beef... How can a party that professes to revere Mother Cow impose zero tax on beef? Isn't this a clear case of the BJP's double standards?" he stated.

The BJP quickly dismissed these accusations, asserting that cow slaughter is strictly prohibited in India.

Madhya Pradesh Minister Aidal Singh Kansana told IANS, "Everyone knows that our administration would never permit cow slaughter. The BJP is the only party that holds cows in high regard. Patwari should feel ashamed for making such claims."

BJP national spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain also responded, saying, "Jeetu Patwari is making unfounded remarks. Some even confuse buffalo meat with beef. Numerous attempts to spread falsehoods about beef exports are being made. In India, cow slaughter is illegal, and no one dares to harm a cow."

Madhya Pradesh BJP MLA Rameshwar Sharma further contended that GST regulations are not solely determined by one party's actions but involve agreements from multiple states.

"In Madhya Pradesh, stringent laws are in place for cow protection. Currently, around 20-22 butchers are imprisoned for crimes like cow slaughter or attempts to transport cows for slaughter. No one was allowed to kill cows in the past, no one is allowed to do so now, and no one will be allowed to do so in the future," he informed IANS.

Patwari had claimed that India's beef exports have surged under the BJP's governance at both the central and state levels.

"The BJP facilitates cow slaughter. All records in this regard have been shattered during the Narendra Modi administration. Where is all this meat coming from? If beef is being exported from India, where is it sourced from when there is a BJP government both at the Centre and in the states?" he questioned.

Citing statistics, Patwari pointed out, "In the financial year 2024-25 (up to October), Indore topped beef exports with a value of Rs 9,387.60 crore, followed by Dhar at Rs 8,338 crore, Raisen with Rs 4,330.4 crore, Singrauli at Rs 2,402.7 crore, and Sehore with Rs 2,195.8 crore. Dewas had exports worth Rs 2,045.2 crore, Ujjain Rs 1,185.7 crore, Bhind Rs 9,276.6 crore, Bhopal Rs 8,499.9 crore, and Morena Rs 7,746.6 crore.

The statements were supported by Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Surendra Rajput, who echoed Patwari's claim of double standards.

Speaking to IANS, Rajput remarked, "The BJP government reveres cows in the North but permits beef consumption in various southern and northeastern states. Why is there no GST on beef? On one hand, they punish people for cow slaughter, while on the other, leaders like Kiren Rijiju and Pema Khandu openly admit to consuming beef. Jitu Patwari is completely correct."