Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi

Though beef consumers in India cut across religious lines, those behind the supply chain are largely Muslims. So it was interesting that the platform chosen by the MoS to make the statement was a discussion about the state of minorities under the Modi Government.

Higher-ups in the NDA administration quickly sought to defuse the tension. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley issued a rejoinder the next day saying that government policies were not affected by such remarks. It’s not the first time his party has thought of pushing dissidents across the border, though. Naqvi might find it comforting to be in the hallowed company of senior BJP leader Giriraj Singh. Last year, Singh had proposed the same for those opposed to Narendra Modi.