Puthiya Tamilagam Party founder and president Dr K. Krishnasamy has opposed Social Justice Minister Vanniarasu’s reported proposal to consider serving beef in government-run student hostels, calling the idea “wrong”, “condemnable” and “punishable”.
In a statement dated 22 September 2026, Krishnasamy said thousands of residential schools and hostels for school and college students operate under the Social Justice Department in Tamil Nadu.
Recalling his tenure as an MLA between 1996 and 2001, Krishnasamy said he had repeatedly raised the issue of student nutrition and had pushed for an increase in the monthly food allowance from ₹150 to ₹450. According to him, the increase helped ensure better-quality food for students.
He said nearly 30 years had passed since then and that the food allowance had subsequently been increased substantially in line with rising prices.
Krishnasamy stressed that students’ meals should contain adequate amounts of protein, vitamins, minerals and fats. He said he had consistently advocated serving eggs daily and chicken and mutton at least twice a week to ensure a balanced diet.
He also acknowledged that food preferences differ among individuals, families and communities. According to him, chicken and mutton are widely accepted among non-vegetarian consumers.
However, Krishnasamy argued that beef was not a “common food” in Tamil Nadu and claimed that it was neither part of the state’s culture nor a generally accepted dietary practice. He said beef consumption was instead a food preference among certain individuals, families and communities.
Referring to Vanniarasu’s reported remarks on considering beef in Social Justice Department hostels, Krishnasamy alleged that the minister had presented his personal preference as a demand from some students and brought it into the public domain.
“Vanniarasu should not take such a wrong and disastrous decision,” Krishnasamy said, adding that Vanniarasu’s past statements and activities as an office-bearer of an organisation were different from his responsibilities as a minister.
Krishnasamy also referred to Vanniarasu’s past involvement in organising a “beef mela”, saying he had criticised it at the time. He argued that Vanniarasu, now holding ministerial office, should not attempt to impose his personal likes and dislikes on society as a whole.
He further objected to even considering beef as an option in government student hostels.
According to Krishnasamy, Vanniarasu’s statement that beef could be considered in student hostels was “wrong”, “criminal”, “condemnable” and “punishable”. He demanded that the minister immediately withdraw his remarks.
Krishnasamy also issued a warning over any move to implement the proposal, saying that if Vanniarasu took steps towards introducing beef in the hostels, he could face “unexpected serious consequences”, including a situation in which he might not be able to remain in the Cabinet.
“I urge Vanniarasu to immediately withdraw his remarks regarding beef,” Krishnasamy said.
சமூக நீதி – அரசு மாணவர் விடுதிகளில் மாட்டுக்கறியா?
வன்னியரசே, விபரீத முடிவு எடுக்க வேண்டாம்!
…………………………………தமிழ்நாட்டில் சமூகநீதித் துறையின்கீழ் பள்ளி மற்றும் கல்லூரி மாணவர்கள் தங்கிப் பயில்வதற்காக ஆயிரக்கணக்கான உண்டு உறைவிடப் பள்ளிகளும், விடுதிகளும்… pic.twitter.com/dkAjOwR3bo
— Dr K Krishnasamy (@DrKrishnasamy) September 22, 2026
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