Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar

Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar said on Friday that in his state, beef was eaten by communities not to offend others, but because it was part of their cuisine. “I don’t feel the people of a community eat or use beef to hurt sentiments of others. It is part of their cuisine or preparation and we also accept the fact,” he said in a brief interview to The Indian Express. He added that in Goa, no controversy can be created on the issue.

Parsekar’s statement comes in the backdrop of Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar saying Muslims must quit eating beef to stay in India. Parsekar said the people of Goa are known to respect all religions. “This maybe a tiny state, but our speciality is that Hindus, Catholics and Muslims can live together in harmony and peace. We know the importance of respecting each others’ feelings. Therefore, such issues are never blown out of proportion as in other states,” he said. However, he refused to make any direct comment on Khattar’s statements.

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