Ramachandra Guha apologises and removes beef tweet after criticism, threats

Historian Ramachandra Guha on Sunday removed a tweet that said he was enjoying eating beef in Goa and apologised for the post after criticism and threats.

Guha on Saturday wrote: "After a magical morning in Old Goa we had lunch in Panaji, where-since this is a BJP ruled state-I decided to eat beef in celebration."

To this repartee, one Twitter user replied: "If a Hindu eating beef and publicise it he is stigma on this religion. One Ramachandra Guha is doing so. He is trying to tease whole of Hindus by this dastardly action of such publicity. Should be given befitting reply."

Guha identified this Twitter user R.K. Yadav as "a former official of the Research and Analysis Wing", and reported the matter to the social media site on Sunday.
 

An indignant Guha said: "I would like to place it on record, and will do with every subsequent threat received."

He also said: "I have received threatening calls from a man calling himself Sanjay from Delhi. He threatened my wife as well as me."

However, later when some more tweets from other people criticised his photograph for being in bad taste, he removed the tweet.

"One may have political leanings/views but why say celebrating an animal's slaughter. Sad to see a historian tweet such stuff. What will the lesser-read do?" Tarun Shukla said.

Guha then changed his tone and responded with: "I take your point. The photo was cavalier and unnecessary. The argument about the freedom of choice as regards diet could have been made without it."

"I have deleted the photo of my lunch in Goa as it was in poor taste. I do wish, however, to again highlight the absolute hypocrisy of the BJP in the matter of beef, and to reiterate my own belief that humans must have the right to eat, dress, and fall in love as they choose."