BJP lawmaker MLC Ramesh Arora has ruffled more than a few feathers by demanding a ban on what is undoubtedly one of India's most popular street foods – the momo. Arora has criticised the dumplings as being both addictive and a health hazard, and feels that it should be boycotted immediately.
Our teenagers are getting addicted to the dumplings like drugs. It's spoiling their health. We have to stop it.MLC Ramesh Arora, Member, J&K Legislative Council
According to a report by the National Herald, there seem to be undertones of xenophobia in Arora's rhetoric as, he is conscious of the fact that “foreigners including Bangladeshi and Burmese” are usually the ones involved in the momo business.
Arora's distaste for the momo is evident in his step to organise a conference on the issue in Jammu, which saw senior members of J&K High Court Bar Association, doctors, academics, municipal corporation officials, Drug and Food Control department and the district administration, in attendance.
The report also claims that Arora's dislike for momos can be linked to his conviction that Ajinomoto, the salt used in the dumplings is a threat to one's health. The report quotes Arora as saying:
Momo is a killer and we cannot allow a killer to grow in a civilised society. Ajinomoto is dangerous for health.
For his comments against the widely loved street food, Arora got trolled by Twitter users:
RSS says Gosht chod do! BJP says Momos chod do!!Sangh Parivar has become the "food police" & v have to get r menu card approved from Nagpur
OK folks. Another ban coming up. Momos to be declared as anti-national https://t.co/kh5DvseQC8
Well it's about time. Momos are a menace to society. https://t.co/CxeeHaK5Cj
Moron Alert!
https://t.co/qpulpKzUK0The Confederacy of Dunces attacks a beloved snack: BJP legislator wants momos banned. @htTweets https://t.co/tYYlUqZq8J
Just for this i'm having #momos from kailash kitchen tomorrow 😋
May be it's rhyming a problem for him, Momos and Muslims. 😂😂
Just for this i'm having #momos from kailash kitchen tomorrow 😋
No, not joke, Momo ban is next after beef! Maybe we need to protest by each beef momos! 😍
Now "intelligent" legislator bats for a ban on Momo!!!!! JAI HO!!!! https://t.co/DwjhVq1j1Y
Ban momo eaters too! https://t.co/1PxSiEurSQ
Also Read: Of Momos, Pork Chops: A Walk Through the Delicious North East Fest
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