Following the backlash, Tamil Nadu Social Justice Minister Vanni Arasu said the department would continue to follow the existing menu of chicken and mutton in government hostels, and that his earlier announcement on serving beef would be put in abeyance for the time being.
The minister, known for his anti-Hindu stance, kicked off a controversy while speaking to the media on September 21. He said that “beef would be served to students staying in government hostels”.
He said this after visiting the MC Rajah hostel in Chennai, where students had demanded beef instead of mutton on the menu. Accepting the students’ demand, he said he would ask officials in his department to consider serving beef.
சமூக நீதி விடுதிகளில் மாணவர்களுக்கு சிக்கன், மட்டன் வழங்கப்பட்டு வருவதைப் போல மாட்டிறைச்சி வழங்குவது குறித்து பரிசீலனை செய்யப்படும் -அமைச்சர் வன்னியரசு
பன்றிக்கறி போடுங்க என ஒரு மாணவன் கூட கேட்கலயா ? 😒 pic.twitter.com/QWF9vpmCWb
— Sanghi Prince 🚩 (@SanghiPrince) September 22, 2026
Vanniarasu said, “A group of students met me in my office and submitted a petition requesting that beef be added to the menu. After considering its viability and price factors, we have now taken the decision not to alter the current menu.”
His announcement triggered criticism from Hindus, Hindu Munnani and political parties over the proposal to add beef to the menu.
Hindu Munnani said that if beef was added, it would also request pork to be included in the menu, as it receives requests from students to include it. “Will he consider it?” party functionary Kishor asked.
He said the party would launch protests if beef was added to the menu.
விடுதிகளில் மாட்டுக்கறி என்றால், பன்றிக்கறியும் சேர்க்கணும்.. | #VanniArasu #Students #Beef #Pork pic.twitter.com/rjvyfVEKWt
— Hindu Munnani (@hindumunnani_tn) September 24, 2026
BJP leader and technocrat Aanthan Ayyasamy, in a post on X, said, “If students demanded pork, would the Minister Vanniarasu say its inclusion in government hostel meals will be ‘considered’? The same respect shown to Muslim religious beliefs must be extended to those communities like mine who consider the cow sacred. Our children live in these hostels too. Minister, don’t just consult officials. Consult the parents too.”
If students demanded PORK, would the Minister @VanniTamizhVCK say its inclusion in government hostel meals will be “considered”?
The same respect shown to Muslim religious beliefs must be extended to those communities like mine who consider the cow sacred. Our children live in… pic.twitter.com/MhLCGcrtzR
— Ananthan Ayyasamy (@AnanthAyyasamy) September 22, 2026
Puthiya Tamizhagam, led by K Krishnaswamy, announced a protest if the minister continued with the proposal to serve beef in hostels.
In a post on X, he urged the TVK government to concentrate on providing safe food to students in schools and colleges in the state instead of talking politics. “Even we are not able to give safe food to students in the morning under the CM’s breakfast scheme. While the ground reality is so, ministers announcing that beef food would be served to students in government hostels is creating controversy. The minister should stop such rhetoric and concentrate on serving quality and safe food to them. Stop such empty talks for political survival and attention.”
அமைச்சர்கள் ’கறி’ அரசியல் பேசுவதை விட்டுவிட்டு,
பள்ளி – கல்லூரி மாணவர்களுக்கு பாதுகாப்பான உணவை வழங்குவதில் கவனம் செலுத்துவார்களா?
……………………………………..திருவள்ளூர் அருகே உள்ள கொட்டையூர் ஊராட்சி ஒன்றிய நடுநிலைப் பள்ளியில் வழங்கப்பட்ட காலை உணவில் பல்லி… pic.twitter.com/GJ1ksdsUGL
— Dr K Krishnasamy (@DrKrishnasamy) September 24, 2026
South India Forward Block party leader KC Thirumaran condemned Vanniarasu for his statement on adding beef to the menu. He said that in Bharat, the cow is holy and revered as a mother. It is an age-old custom followed not only in Tamil Nadu but across Bharat. He said it is connected with the faith and beliefs of crores of Hindus.
The cow is not merely cattle, he said. It plays an important role in human lives by providing milk, curd and ghee. He said cow urine has medicinal value, while cow dung is considered a sanitiser, besides helping to generate gas and serving as manure for farmers.
“In today’s life, we are getting contaminated food varieties. Cow milk is the only fully pure, wholesome milk with enough nutrients for younger children to elderly people. Cows are the main source of quality milk free from contamination. It helps lactating mothers who could not fully feed their children due to insufficient milk production, as cow milk is given as an alternative. The cow is revered as a mother by many,” he said.
He said, “There is nothing wrong in finding alternative food for students, but it should not be at the cost of crores of people’s religious faith, customs and culture, or hurt their sentiments. I appeal to the government to drop this fully.”
தென்னிந்திய பார்வர்டு பிளாக் கட்சி
அமைச்சர் வன்னி அரசுக்கு வன்மையான கண்டனம்மாணவர் விடுதிகளில் மாட்டிறைச்சி வழங்குவது தொடர்பாக ஆலோசனை செய்து முடிவு எடுக்கப்படும் என்று சமூகநீதி அமைச்சர் வன்னி அரசு கூறியிருப்பது வன்மையாகக் கண்டிக்கத்தக்கது.
இந்திய பாரத தேசத்தில் பசுவை… pic.twitter.com/ZPXSDMxMcp
— KC THIRUMARAN JI (@kcthirumaran) September 22, 2026
Kalyan Raman said, “I dare Minister Vanni Arasu of VCK to supply beef in government-run hostels. Let him try his luck and face the consequences. Are you guys under CM Tamil Nadu running government? Constitution under Directive Principles of State Policy says that the government will strive for banning cow slaughter, and these guys are working against the stated policy of the nation. If you want to run a beef-eating Christian government, you can go to Rome and do it and not in India. Be careful with what your ministers are saying or doing with their lack of understanding of Constitution and governance. This government is furthering a Christian agenda like pre-1857 war, where they forced the soldiers to use mutton tallow in their guns that ultimately resulted in the First War of Independence.”
Are you running a government or brothel house where any tom, dick and harry decides the direction of governance?! @TVKVijayHQ @CMOTamilnadu
I dare Minister @VanniArasu_VCK to supply beef in Government run hostels. Let him try his luck and face the consequences.
Are you guys…
— Kalyan Raman (மோடியின் குடும்பம்) (@KalyaanBJP_) September 22, 2026
He said, “Now, by saying that we will consider serving beef, this government is saying something against the Constitution itself. In other words, they are challenging the Constitution deliberately. I have been saying that this government under Vijay is that of the Christians, by the Christians and for the Christians, and aimed at anything anti-Hindu, and this must go!!!”
Many in Tamil Nadu argue that a minister cannot take a decision and announce it on a public forum without writing to the CM and the concerned departments, including Higher Education and related ministries and Finance. Such statements by ministers independently acting and speaking would create chaos and anarchy in governance. Critics have urged CM Vijay to rein in such ministers and drop him for his consistent actions.
He earlier said that reservation benefits would be extended to converted Dalit Christians, in violation of SC verdicts. Critics also point out that he was convicted in a murder case and that the sentence was suspended by the court. The government should pursue the case and revoke the suspension of his sentence, they said.
He visited Coimbatore bomb blast convict Basha and attended his funeral, besides speaking in favour of the premature release of Muslim prisoners and being known for his “break India” speeches and activities.
