Haryana govt defends CM's beef remarks
Faced with opposition over the CM's remarks over special rights to foreigners to consume beef, the Haryana government sought to clarify its stance. Clarifying the CM's remarks, Khattar's media adviser stated that the CM meant the permission would only be given if there was provision in the Haryana Gauvansh Sanrakshan and Gausamvardhan legislation. He added that "to my knowledge there is no such provision."
Manohar Lal Khattar joined the Rashtriya Seva Sangh (RSS) in 1977, becoming a full time "pracharak" in 1980. A lifelong bachelor, he worked for 14 years as a "pracharak", before moving to the organisation's political wing, BJP, in 1994.
Haryana Chief Minister, Manohar Lal Khattar, when asked about the Dadri lynching incident, was quoted as saying, "Muslims can stay, but they will have to give up eating beef", in an interview published in the 16 October 2015 issue of the Indian Express. Khattar said his words had been "misconstrued and twisted". Following this remark, the Indian Express released the audio of the interview.
The Haryana Gauvansh Sanrakshan and Gausamvardhan Bill was passed in March 2015 making cow-slaughter and the sale of beef a non-bailable offence in Haryana. Khattar hailed it as one of the top achievements of his government.
Although Khattar expressed his "regret" after Indian Express released the audio, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said, "Sad day for India's democracy! CM Khattarji will now decide qualifications for Indian citizenship. Is this new model of governance Modiji?" Meanwhile the Aam Admi Party (AAP) demanded Khattar's sacking for having "distorted the secular fabric of the country". Following suit, JD(U) chief Sharad Yadav also attacked BJP.
Violation of the Haryana Gauvansh Sanrakshan and Gausamvardhan Bill 2015 will see offenders get 3-10 years jail and a Rs.30,000-100,000 fine for cow-slaughter, and a 3-5 years jail sentence and a Rs.30,000-50,000 fine for selling beef.
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar's comment that Muslims should give up eating beef, which triggered much outrage, "is not the BJP's position", said Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu. He also said that the "highly condemnable" Dadri lynching incident was an issue concerning the Uttar Pradesh government, and that the Samajwadi Party should be questioned instead of blaming the BJP-led central government.
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said the Haryana government is willing to create a special dispensation to enable foreigners to eat beef in the state. Defending the move, CM Khattar said "Everyone has a personal lifestyle for eating and drinking....we don't have any opposition to that." Haryana's law against beef consumption and sale in the state came into force in November 2015.
