17, Oct 2015

In Punjab, former Congress CM Capt Amarinder Singh tweeted: “Haryana CM #Khattar!!! What does Muslims ‘CAN’ live in India mean??? They are as much an integral part of India as you and me”.
By: Express News Service
Chandigarh Published:Oct 17, 2015, 4:52
Facing a political firestorm over his remarks on Muslims and beef during an interview to The Indian Express, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said today that he did not make any statement that would have “hurt anyone’s sentiments” and expressed “regret” if “anyone or any community has felt hurt”.
Hours after the interview was published, a press release issued by the Haryana government stated: “[The Chief Minister] said that we understand and respect the feelings of every religion and community in the society. He said that he did not make any statement which would have hurt anyone’s sentiments. However, if anyone or any community has felt hurt, he regrets for the same.”
However, the central leadership of the BJP distanced itself from Khattar’s remarks in the interview, even as Opposition parties in Haryana — INLD, Congress and AAP — described them as “unfortunate” and an attempt “to divide people on religious lines”.