Mumbai, October 12: An advertisement issued by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) in Mumbai inviting tenders for 'cow meat' for feeding animals at the zoo has left the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) fuming. The BMC ad created a flutter in Maharashtra, where beef is banned, due to an error in translation. BJP Manoj Kotak has asked the civic body to withdraw the controversial ad.

On October 9, an advertisement was published in various newspapers for the purchase of meat, green grass, eggs and other items for animals at the Byculla Zoo. While, Marathi version of the ad mentions 'buffalo meat', the meat description came out as 'cow's meat' in the ad published in Hindi and Gujarati languages. On Thursday, Kotak wrote to BMC commissioner Ajoy Mehta and demanded the withdrawal of the ad. BMC Goes Ahead With Vaccination Drive in Mumbai Despite Polio Vaccine Scare.

“The advertisement clearly says that cow-meat is to be purchased for Byculla Zoo. I have demanded that a show-cause notice be issued to the concerned department and also to ensure that such a blunder not be repeated,” the BJP leader was quoted as saying. Authorities at the Byculla Zoo also said they didn't want 'cow meat' for feeding animals. The slaughter of cows, bulls, bullocks and calves is banned in the state. Humboldt Penguins at Byculla Zoo: BMC Mulls Hiring Private Contractor To Look After Aquatic Birds.

Following the major blooper, an explanation was sought from officials from the various departments concerned with the advertisement. The BMC has also ordered an internal inquiry to know how the goof-up took place. An official from BMC’s Public Relations (PR) department said a mistake might have happened in translation.

“The advertisement was meant for inviting tenders for beef (excluding cows and bulls). We had provided content for the advertisement in Marathi and English newspapers, whereas in Hindi and Gujarati newspapers, it was translated at their own level. The mistake has occurred due to erroneous translation,” the official told Asian Age.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 12, 2018 11:50 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).