Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Friday offered a clarification over his controversial statement that 'Muslims need to give up beef to live in India', saying he has been quoted out of context and the words had been 'misinterpreted'.
Khattar, however, was quick in stating that 'if something like that slipped out of his mouth, it was not his deliberate intention to hurt anyone'.
"I have been misquoted and taken out of context. No where have I used such words. We have lived for years in a society that teaches us to co-exist in brotherhood and respect each others religious sentiments, which is why I simply appealed that beef should not be consumed. I have not imposed my perception on anyone," he told the media here.
The Chief Minister had made the controversial statement in an interview to a leading national daily after which he drew ire of the political fraternity.
Khattar's OSD Jawahar Yadav, however, was quick in defending the Chief Minister and told ANI that national daily had misinterpreted his remark.
"He has just said that cow is considered spiritual in Hindu religion so they should not eat beef. We strongly condemn the version taken out by the national daily. They have not done their responsibility," he said.
