A self-proclaimed yoga teacher, Ira Trivedi, who runs a show on national broadcaster Doordarshan, has taken to Twitter today to proclaim that she is a strict vegetarian and respects Hindu religion.

?? everyone. I want to clarify a few things. Firstly I am a strict vegetarian and I strongly advocate and promote a vegetarian diet to all those practising yoga. those following me on Instagram have seen my advocacy of a vegetarian diet. — Ira Trivedi (@iratrivedi) July 25, 2019

She added that she promotes vegetarian diet to all those who practice yoga. She also said how her tweets on Hinduism were out of context.

I also deeply cherish, respect and live by Hindu Dharma, please ignore any screenshots of tweets that may have been taken out of context. I respect all religions and texts, but Hinduism is at the heart of my practice. — Ira Trivedi (@iratrivedi) July 25, 2019

It all started yesterday when her 2017 interview with CNN News 18 went viral on social media. In the video, she describes beef as the ‘cheapest source of protein’. Ira Trivedi was talking about the ban on beef. According to her beef is an important source of protein for the malnourished and that the ban on beef would be unfair, especially to the Muslim community.

@iratrivedi says Beef is the cheapest source of protein. lol. No, its the most expensive protein source dumbo.

Beef- 300rs/kg, Protein- 26%

Chicken- 95rs/kg, Prot-27%

Even pork is half the price of beef n provides equal protein. Y not mention that.

pic.twitter.com/P1lKhCQsNa — Robinhood (@Ragy_95) July 24, 2019

Ira is the granddaughter of Congress leader and ex-union minister VC Shukla.

My grandfather, Congress leader and ex Union Minister VC Shukla, is 84 years old and has been shot three times. He is being operated. — Ira Trivedi (@iratrivedi) May 25, 2013

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He was the Information and Broadcasting Minister in the Indira Gandhi government and a close associate of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and her son Sanjay Gandhi. During his tenure, he was notorious for muzzling the press. He was the Congress leader who banned Kishor Kumar’s songs from AIR and Doordarshan.

However many pointed out that she was making factually incorrect statements and showed why beef wasn’t the cheapest source of protein.

Sushree @iratrivedi ji, FYI:

Soybean: Protein 36.49gm/100gm (₹90/kg) Beef: Protein 26gm/100gm(₹250/Kg) Hence,one can get 3.89 times more protein than beef at the same price of it for 1kg by eating Soybean. Ira ji stop making people fool or pl be awakened in case u r fool. https://t.co/fFyliHRDFP pic.twitter.com/Thd2ikZASY — Aabhas Maldahiyar | आभास मलदहियार?? (@Aabhas24) July 24, 2019

After the video went viral, several screenshots of her previous tweets were also widely shared. In one of the tweets, Ira says the Quran is a progressive text and labelled modern-day Hinduism as regressive. In response to this Ira Trivedi claimed that her tweets have been taken out of context. However, Twitterati wasn’t satisfied with her apology.

Taken out of context???

Do you think people are fools??? pic.twitter.com/jQCPzt9MoJ — Riya ? (@Red__Wine1) July 25, 2019

This is worst than an apology or expressing regret. Nothing was taken out of context, stop thinking people are fools. It’s just that then you worked with anti-hindu India Today, now you don’t want to lose ur job in DD National which is under ‘Saffron Clad’ government. https://t.co/GhoEi7gcQO pic.twitter.com/uBCiWjx4tq — Ankur Singh (@iAnkurSingh) July 25, 2019

Several users were astonished by her anti-Hindu statements, labelling her as “Hinduphobic”. Users also questioned the Doordarshan for choosing her as a host for one of their programmes. Ira Trivedi hosts the show “Yoga with Ira Trivedi” on the national broadcaster.

This is my hand folded request

Just Unite on This A actor called Ira Trivedi Abused Hindu Dharma on 30 Aug 2017 (Screenshot 1) Now DD national gave her a Contract (Screenshot 2) Please protest against this In a Secular country Govt. Hired a person who abused Hindu Dharma pic.twitter.com/2pdcOGgn9Z — Khushi Singh (@khushi2318) July 24, 2019

In response to one of the tweets, the CEO of Prasar Bharati Shashi Shekhar had taken note of the issue and forwarded it to the Director-General of Doordarshan.

Thanks for your feedback. Marking this to DG Doordarshan @supriyasahuias to look into and reply. — Shashi Shekhar (@shashidigital) July 25, 2019

Ashok Shrivastav, a TV journalist for DD had also questioned Doordarshan for choosing Ira Trivedi as the host. Ira Trivedi had also tweeted an apology to him.

In October last year, as the #MeToo movement gained momentum, Ira Trivedi had accused Chetan Bhagat of trying to forcefully kiss her as well as of inappropriate behaviour. This evoked a response from Chetan Bhagat who shared screenshot of her email which she had signed off as ‘miss u kiss u’.