PANJIM: Criticizing the ruling BJP in Goa for distancing itself from
condemning its leader Subramanian Swamy’s recent statement hinting at beef ban
in the State, the Congress party on Thursday accused the saffron party of
racking up the beef ban issue for its political gain.
“It is true that beef ban was never an issue in Goa as it is
part of cuisine of section of people in the State and we respect it. But BJP is
racking up the issue for its political gain,” Congress general secretary Adv
Yatish Naik told media persons.
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“We are living in a liberal democracy, where such statements
do not argue well,” Naik said slamming the BJP state unit for maintaining
complete silence on the controversial statement by its tall leader Swamy.
“With BJP’s senior leader and MP making insensitive and
condemnable statement on the issue of Goan eating habits vis a vis beef
consumption, it is shocking that till date neither Chief Minister not the State
BJP unit have condemned it,” the Congress leader stated.
“Why is BJP protecting Swamy for his insensitive utterances?
he questioned.
Naik said that the recent comment by the State Deputy
Speaker Michael Lobo that beef ban is not an issue in Goa, without condemning
Swamy, makes it clear that the entire act is a part of motivated campaign to
take up the beef ban issue for political reasons.
Naik pointed out that Goa already has a ban on cow slaughter
which was brought in by the Congress party due to the reverence attached to the
animal. “As far as the meat of buffalo and bullocks are concerned, Goa has its
own legislation,” he said.
Speaking on beef ban in Goa, Swamy is reported to have said,
“Goa has a tradition, we have to change that”.
Meanwhile, the congress party has reiterated its demand to
de-notify the National and State highways in a bid to provide relief to the
liquor traders affected with Supreme Court decision of banning sale of liquor
within 500 meters of highways.
“I don’t understand when other States can de-notify their
highways, why not Goa Government. Why government is fooling the people,”
Congress spokesperson Agnelo Fernandes said.
