Udupi, April 3 : Karnataka RDPR Minister KS Eshwarappa on Sunday asked what is the problem for the Congress if Hindus and Muslims consume meat as per their religious rituals. “Let Muslims eat halal meat. Let Hindus eat jhatka meat. What is the problem for Congress in this? Why are they making a hue and cry? What they want is that Hindus and Muslims should not live together. No Hindus or Muslims will accept these efforts of the Congress,” he told reporters here. Eshwarappa said he is least bothered about giving a political colour to the halal controversy and blamed Congress for raking up the hijab issue to appease a particular comm ty for votes. “There are many other issues to be taken up during election campaigns. We will go before the people and talk about our achievements. We will explain to the people who raised the hijab issue. Congress must answer. The entire state would have been peaceful, but for the six girl students who raked up hijab row backed by the Congress. Did the Congress condemn the murder of Hindu activist Harsha,” he asked. Meanwhile, Congress leader Siddaramaiah alleged that the halal controversy was raked up by Hindu groups to divide the society. “The Hindu organisations are creating issues affecting the ties between people and comm ties, and disturbing the peace in society,” he said. These divisive issues will have a massive bearing on the economic growth in the state, Siddaramaiah said. The Congress will take up pro-people’s issues like unemployment and stay away from irrelevant issues like halal, he said. BDN SHK2115