Bengaluru: Chief minister Siddaramaiah Wednesday stirred fresh debate over faith and food habits by revealing he eats non-vegetarian food even on festival days such as Ugadi and Maha Shivaratri. The remark came during his reply to the budget, after opposition members teased him about his “changed” stance on auspicious timings while presenting this year’s budget. Although he has rarely entertained superstition, Siddaramaiah presented his 17th budget 15 minutes before rahu kala — widely regarded as inauspicious. Responding to the jibe, Siddaramaiah said, “Each person has his or her own belief. What is wrong with eating non-vegetarian food on festival days? While I believe there is a god, it does not mean that I must go only to the temple to find him. God is everywhere and omnipresent.” He then quoted 12th-century social reformer Basavanna, reciting a vachana that likens the human body to a temple, with the mind as the place where god resides. Siddaramaiah’s remarks revived memories of past controversies over his personal beliefs and food choices. During his earlier tenure between 2013 and 2018, and later as opposition leader, he faced criticism after a video surfaced allegedly showing him eating meat before visiting a temple. While he denied eating meat on that occasion, he admitted he was a non-vegetarian. As for beginning his budget speech just ahead of rahu kala, he said: “Considering we, Congress party and I, believe in democracy, I listened to my family (wife) and officials who urged me to start the speech before the beginning of the inauspicious hour.” He said in the past he had presented budgets during inauspicious hours and did not believe in rahu kala, Yamaganda or similar concepts, making this year’s adjustment a rare exception. Siddaramaiah also added a lighter moment to his reply on the budget, revealing that he was wearing a Rs 13,000 silk shawl gifted by his deputy DK Shivakumar. “It is costly, but then the old towels worn on the side fall when I bend. To avoid this, I switched to wearing it around my neck,” he said, drawing laughter in the House. He also noted that Shivakumar himself prefers wearing woollen stoles, turning what began as a routine budget reply into a moment of humour on the assembly floor.
