Nitish Demands Apology from Goa Minister; Minister Defiant

Patna: Aug. 20, 2008

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday, upset at the Goa Home Minister Ravi Naik's disparaging remarks about Biharis in Goa, demanded an unequivocal apology from him saying Naik's comments were insulting to all Biharis and had the feelings of millions of people.

"For someone who holds an important position in the state government, such remarks are beneath dignity of the office and must be condemned by one and all," Kumar said.

As reported widely in the media, Naik allegedly said that a direct train from Patna to Panaji would increase the number of beggars in Goa.

Naik was also slammed by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leaders and the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) for making his remark.

"Biharis are hard working people and to slam an entire state solely because of a direct train line between the two cities, is beyond pale," said RJD MP Ram Kripal Yadav.

Naik should be concerned with open flesh trade, rampant murders and rapes in the city before degrading people from other states, senior RJD leader Shakeel Ahmed Khan said.

Meanwhile, Naik refused to issue an apology saying his comments were misunderstood and 'taken out of context'.

"I never said that Biharis were beggars. All I said was that beggars usually come to Goa by train and the new train between Patna and Panaji would increase the number of beggars in Goa," the Goan minister said.