BJP distances itself from Khattar remark on Muslims

Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar said his words had been distorted, but was ready to express regret if he had hurt people

A political row erupted on Friday over Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar's reported comments that Muslims could live in the country, but will have to give up eating beef. The Congress called this unconstitutional and a sad day for India's democracy.

As the remarks sparked an outrage, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) dissociated itself from Khattar's views, calling them "wrong" and asserted those views were not the party's. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) demanded sacking of the chief minister.

Khattar said, "My words have been distorted. I never made such a statement. But if the sentiments of anyone have been hurt with my words, I am ready to express my regret."
 

The chief minister's advisor, Jawahar Yadav, said Khattar never made such a statement in the interview to The Indian Express.

"The chief minister has himself denied that he made such a statement. He did not say what has been published by a newspaper," he said.

The newspaper later released an audio tape of Khattar's interview, in which he is reportedly making the statement.


Coming on the heels of controversial statements made by a few BJP leaders over the lynching of a Muslim by villagers in Dadri over rumours he had eaten and stored beef, Khattar's reported comments invited a backlash from the opposition parties.

"Sad day for India's democracy! CM Khattarji will now decide qualifications for Indian citizenship. Is this new model of governance Modiji?" Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said.

Janata Dal (United) chief Sharad Yadav attacked BJP, saying its leaders keep taunting Muslims and ask them to go to Pakistan, but what will they do with people in the northeast where beef is eaten? "They will have to understand that India is not Europe or China. It is a diverse country," he said.

Another Congress leader Rashid Alvi said Khattar's comments were unconstitutional and he had no right to continue as the chief minister. "The views expressed by Khattar are not that of the party. I will talk to him and will advise him. It is wrong to say like that," parliamentary affairs minister M Venkaiah Naidu told PTI, adding that it is not correct to link anyone's eating habits to religion.

"This is not the BJP's position.... It is not correct to link eating habits to religion. People have to keep in mind the sentiments of others and eating is a personal choice of people," he said.

Jawahar Yadav said the Chief Minister has himself denied that he made such a statement.

"He did not say what has been published by a newspaper.

The CM has said cow is a subject of faith for crores of people in the country.

"Khattar had given an example of his recent visit to Mewat where Gau Shalas are being run by Muslims and where some people expressed views that Muslims should avoid eating beef," he said.