Naqvi's beef remark trashed

Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi's remark on beef eaters has drawn strong reaction from the political class and also from some members of the film fraternity who have trashed it outright.
Demanding an apology from Naqvi, Janata Dal (United) leader K C Tyagi said, "This is against the nation and he must say sorry."
Naqvi, the Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs, had sparked a controversy yesterday by saying that "If a certain section (of people) is dying because they can't sell or eat beef then this is not the country for them. Let them go to Pakistan or an Arab nation, or any other part of world where it is available."

Congress leader Shantaram Naik said, "All BJP organisations want minorities of India to go to Pakistan. It has been their policy."
AGP leader Durga Das Bodo hit out at Naqvi saying, "India is a secular country. It is not appropriate to say such thing."
Filmmaker Mukesh Bhat said the comment was very repulsive.

"How can you talk such things? It is the most idiotic statement to be made by a minister."
Expressing his anguish, actor Raja Murad said, "We do not need to prove again and again that we are loyal to this country. We do not need anybody's mercy or sympathy or certificate to stay in this country."

Earlier in the day, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley disapproved of his Naqvi's remark saying people should be aware of their responsibilities.
"It is natural that people should realise their responsibilities. The Prime Minister has also said so time and again," he said.
The BJP-led government in Maharashtra has banned slaughter of cow and its progeny and made sale and possession of beef unlawful, providing for imprisonment up to five years and fine of Rs 10,000. The decision has invited criticism from several sections.