Goa not to ban Beef, says CM Laxmikant Parsekar

BJP-ruled state Goa won’t take a cue from Maharashtra and Haryana when it comes to ban on the selling of beef. Goa CM Laxmikant Parsekar has made it clear that Goa can’t do that, as beef remains an integral part of cuisine of the minority community.

The minority Christians and Muslims constitute 39-40% of the total population in Goa. “If it is part of their food habits, why and how can we ban it”, he asked while talking to the Economic Times. Goa imports beef from neighbouring Karnataka.

A sizeable section of the minorities, mostly Christians, have been supporting the BJP for long. The Goa CM does not want to upset that bonding and give an advantage to the Congress and NCP. Earlier, the BJP Governments in Maharashtra and Haryana imposed bans on eating and selling beef in their states and made it a punishable offence.

Maharashtra had passed a bill earlier this month, imposing a jail term of 5 years and a fine of Rs 10,000 for anyone selling or consuming beef. Later, Haryana too imposed a 3-5 year jail term and a fine of upto Rs 50,000 on those caught selling beef.