Social media reacts to beef remarks of Goa CM Manohar Parrikar

Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar is facing social media backlash over his remarks regarding beef consumption. Several hashtags such as #beef_mantri and #beefminister are continuously trending on Twitter while other social media platforms are flooded with several sarcastic memes.

In the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, Parrikar had said that if Goa faces beef shortage it would import from the neighbouring state Karnataka. Parrikar had also boasted that 2,000 kilograms of beef is produced daily at Goa Meat Complex, the only legal abattoir in Goa.

While right wing Hindu organisations like Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) have demanded resignation of Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, the reactions on the social media have been sarcastic and critical of Parrikar.

Earlier on Thursday, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, who was replying to a debate on lynchings in the Rajya Sabha on behalf of ailing Home Minister Rajnath Singh, stressed that it was the responsibility of the state governments to deal with cow vigiliantism. He further said that “Nobody is allowed to do that (lynching in the name of cow protection). There is no rationalisation, no arguments of sentiments being hurt can be an explanation for this. And, the government is absolutely committed,” he said.

He also asserted that cow slaughter should not be “praised” or “eulogised”.

However, seeking Parrikar’s resignation, VHP leader Dr Surendra Jain in a series of scathing tweets said Bharatiya Janata Party has become ‘Beef Joy Party.’ In another tweet, he wondered if it was the party of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay and if the CM was unaware about the law prohibiting the slaughtering of cows in Karnataka and Goa.

Here’s how many others reacted to the CM’s controversial remarks: