BJP leader and former Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan on Tuesday kicked up a controversy by saying Tamil Nadu politicians had no problems consuming beef, but would not accept what she claimed to be the “scientifically proven” contention on cow urine having “medicinal properties”.

Backing IIT Madras Director V. Kamakoti’s contention on cow urine containing anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, Dr. Tamilisai questioned why political parties in Tamil Nadu were opposing cow urine being used as ‘medicine’. “They (politicians) would eat cow’s meat. But they won’t accept that cow’s urine has medicinal properties even after it has been scientifically proven. Maybe they fear that consumption of Tasmac liquor would go down when people start drinking cow urine to cure diseases,” she said.

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president K. Selvaperunthagai criticised Dr. Tamilisai for not being able to differentiate between animal meat and “animal’s waste”.

“Should we blindly believe something just because it is found in Ayurveda? Only those in the BJP could describe cow urine, the waste fluid of a cow, as nectar. It would only be surprising if they didn’t make such claims,” he said.