Beef-Muslim row: Manohar Lal Khattar says his words distorted

CHANDIGARH: As a row erupted over his reported comments that Muslims can live in the country but will have to give up eating beef, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar today said his words have been distorted but he was ready to express regret if he has hurt the sentiments of people.

The reported remarks on beef triggered an outrage with the Congress calling it a sad day for Indian democracy and slamming him for his "unconstitutional" remarks.

However, the BJP leader said his words have been twisted.

"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," Khattar said.

The Chief Minister's Advisor Jawahar Yadav said that Khattar never made such a statement.

"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.

In an interview published by a newspaper, the Haryana Chief Minister had said "Muslims can continue to live in this country, but they will have to give up eating beef" because "cow is an article of faith here".

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