Row over Haryana CM's remarks on beef eating

New Delhi: Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has provoked a fresh row over a statement he gave in an interview where he said the Muslim community can live in India but must give up eating beef as it doesn't violate their faith but that the cow is an “article of faith” for Hindus. He is also quoted as saying that the Bhagvad Gita and Saraswati are articles of faith for Hindus and that minorities must not violate others' religious beliefs. The minister was quick to deny when he faced criticism for his insensitivity. His office clarified that Khattar “absolutely did not say” those things in the interview. “Our CM didn't say anything like this, all he said was we should respect everyone... The newspaper which has posted this news piece has tried to put words in the Haryana CM's mouth,” said Jawahar Yadav, officer on special duty to the chief minister.