The Kerala Tourism department faced the ire of netizens over a photo it tweeted on the occasion of Makar Sankranti on Wednesday.
An image of the popular dish 'beef ularthiyathu' was posted on the Twitter handle of the tourism department. The accompanying tweet read: "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."
Many on Twitter slammed the move, calling it a provocative move.
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
“You are verbal terrorists,” wrote one user.
So hurting hindu sentiments is your passion but when gaurakshak became violent you start crying.
— Squirrel_Of_Ram (मैं भी सावरकर) (@_Krantikari) January 16, 2020
You are verbal terrorists.
It is the clear violation of article 48 @ippatel and @Swamy39 can you file FIR on state govt and its tourism ?
A few users wrote that they called off the trip that they were planning to Kerala because of the post.
Thanks for putting me off @KeralaTourism . I had all the plans of family vacation in Kerala and Lakshadvip starting 4th April. But seeing your promotional ad I'm cancelling it now and changing it to Himachal Pradesh.
— Nimbu Masala Anshul Bhartiya🇮🇳🇮🇳 (@NimbuMassala) January 16, 2020
Bye 'Devil's Own Country'
“This post really hurt Tamilians,” wrote another user.
Today is maatu pongal a farmer festival, Today Tamilans say Thanks to Bulls and cows for helping their farming. This post really hurt Tamilians , very sad @KeralaTourism
— Sathish Sankar (@iam_satheesan) January 16, 2020
Meanwhile, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) slammed Kerala tourism department, saying the post hurt "sentiments of crores of cow worshipers."
"Is this tweet meant for promoting tourism or promoting beef? Isn''t it hurting sentiments of crores of cow worshipers? Is this tweet generated from the pious land of Shankaracharya," VHP spokesperson Vinod Bansal tweeted.
Is this tweet meant for promoting tourism or promoting Beef?
— विनोद बंसल (@vinod_bansal) January 16, 2020
Isn't it hearting sentiments of crores of cow worshipers?
Is this tweet generated from the pious land of Shankaracharya?@KeralaGovernor @CMOKerala @kadakampalli to please advise @KeralaTourism .... https://t.co/1lXplZjnA3
