A group of singers, artistes and tourism stakeholders led by pop singer Hema Sardesai condemned Sadhavi Saraswati’s controversial remarks on beef consumption on Monday.
Last week at a press conference held during All India Hindu convention, Ms. Saraswati said all those who eat beef must be hanged. Ms. Sardesai said the statement was made as part of a communal agenda and demanded that the Goa government register a case against Ms. Saraswati.
Ms. Sardesai said a human chain would be formed across the State on July 16 to protest against the “unacceptable” remarks. She appealed to the people of Goa to participate in the march in large numbers. Ms. Sardesai said, “Do not come and mess with us, insult us over our food habits and destroy our tourism. We are all together, Hindus, Muslims or Christians, we all stand united.”
She said that such statements could vitiate communal harmony in Goa and it was up to the State government which professes ‘ Sabha Sath Sabha Vikas’ to ensure people don’t get away by making such inflammatory statements, which incite communal hatred and cause damage to Goa’s tourism industry. She said Ms. Saraswati’s statement smacked of political agenda. “We have joined hands to tell such people to not to come after our stomachs. Do not make such horrendous statements against our daily lives and Goa’s tourism.”
