BJP rules out country-wide ban on beef

Panaji: BJP on Thursday ruled out a country-wide ban on beef, saying it is for the states to take a decision on it keeping in mind the "sentiments of the people".

"Wherever there is BJP government, we will consider sentiments of the people before imposing ban on beef. We have not said that we will be banning beef across the country," BJP president Amit Shah told reporters here.

BJP governments in Maharashtra and Haryana have banned beef. However, Shah made it clear that the party will not be insisting on imposing ban on beef in all the states it is in power, leaving it to the respective governments to take a call on it by factoring in the sentiments of the people.

To a query on extending ban on cow slaughter in Goa, Shah said, "Goa government will take a decision only after discussing the issue with people."

He also downplayed Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi's remark that "those who want to eat beef can go to Pakistan", saying it was his "personal" view.

"That was his personal comment. I have no comment to make. I can't make personal comment. I am the party President," Shah said to queries on the issue.