A day after senior VHP functionary boasted of ban on beef consumption in Goa, BJP’s ally has said that these leaders will meet the same fate as that of Pramod Muthalik, if they try to incite communal violence.

“I condemn the statement by VHP leader who has said that the organisation will force ban on beef consumption in Goa in next one or two years,” Goa Forward Party mentor and State minister Vijai Sardesai said, addressing a press conference in Margao today.

“As a minister, I want to tell VHP that any law breaker will be seriously dealt with,” he said.

“In the past, Sri Ram Sene chief Pramod Muthalik was trying to come to Goa to make some non-sense, he has been banned successively by the State government. The VHP leaders who are making such statements will also meet the similar fate,” Sardesai recalled.

VHP’s senior functionary Radha Krishna Manori had told reporters in Vasco town yesterday that the organisation (VHP) has been awakening people and there will be ban on beef consumption in the State within one or two years.

Sardesai said he had discussed the issue with CM Manohar Parrikar who has also expressed strong sentiments against the VHP’s statement.

The minister said, “by making controversial statements if you are trying to create communal tension in the state, then this goes against the law and will be dealt with firmly.”

“When VHP speaks of cadres to enforce the ban, they should not forget that Goa Forward also has its followers who will stop them.  We are not impotent. The radical elements does not have any place in Goan society,” he added.

Team TNV