Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar’s office on Friday denied that he told the Indian Express that Muslims can continue to live in India only if they give up eating beef. The report also quoted Khattar saying, “They can be Muslim even after they stop eating beef, can’t they? It is written nowhere that Muslims have to eat beef, not is it written anywhere in Christianity that they have to eat beef.”

After the Bharatiya Janata Party leader was attacked by opposition leaders for his remarks, Jawahar Yadav, officer on special duty to the chief minister said, “Our CM didn't say anything like this. All he said was we should respect everyone. The newspaper which has posted this news piece has tried to put words in the Haryana CM's mouth.” Khattar has now said, "My words have been misconstrued and twisted... If anyone has been hurt by my words, I am ready to apologise to them."

Khattar has worked closely with the prime minister and was picked by Narendra Modi to be chief minister of Haryana. He will complete one year in office this month.

Here are some reactions to Khattar's statements:

The Indian Express has released an audio recording of the chief minister's allegedly misquoted remarks.

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