Union Minister for Water Resources Uma Bharti had a unique explanation for the alleged spurt in cow slaughter. She said since fodder prices had risen, it was becoming harder for people to look after cows and hence they were killing the animals. Addressing a media conference in her Lok Sabha constituency of Jhansi, she appeared to go into a meditative mode silently reciting something, when asked a question by a reporter. Then another reporter asked her about her health. She told the reporter he was mad and urged him to record her statement. On the issue of beef, she refused to say anything at all.