Speaking to the reporters, Ahwad said, "Lord Ram was vegetarian. Ram was Kshatriya and Kashatriyas are meat-eaters. What was he used to eat? Has anyone seen Ram having vegetarian food?"
"Lord Ram was a non-vegetarian!" -- This motormouth, uncouth man, MLA Jitendra Awhad, belongs to the NCP, an I.N.D.I. alliance partner. Hold them accountable!!#AyodhyaRamMandir pic.twitter.com/BEK902txHl
— Priti Gandhi - प्रीति गांधी (@MrsGandhi) January 4, 2024
The comment has triggered massive controversy with people from the ruling camp have demanded action against the politician for allegedly hurting Hindu sentiments.
Extra police force has been deployed outside Ahwad's residence amid protests from the opposition camp.
Slamming Ahwad, BJP leader Ram Kadam said, "The members of INDI Alliance have a mindset to hurt the beliefs of crores of Ram Bhakts by saying such meaningless things."
"It is the way of Ahwad's well thought out political strategy," Kadam added.
Mumbai | BJP leader Ram Kadam to file a police complaint against NCP -Sharad Pawar faction leader Jitendra Awhad for his statement about Lord Ram being a "non-vegetarian"
— ANI (@ANI) January 4, 2024
"Their mindset is to hurt the sentiments of the Ram bhakts. They can't make fun of the Hindu religion to… pic.twitter.com/1SUUXUZMwF
Meanwhile, security has been heightened in Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya where the Ram Temple will be consecrated on January 22.