Panaji, Aug 1 (IANS): Hate-speeches like the one allegedly delivered by Sadhvi Saraswati in Goa in June are vitiating the already surcharged atmosphere in the country eventually leading to violence against members of minority communities, All India Catholic Union (AICU) President John Dayal said on Monday.

"Such statements vitiate the already surcharged atmosphere. This is the type of targeting that has led to large number of lynching of Muslims and Dalits in several states in the country," Dayal told reporters at a press conference here.

Madhya Pradesh-based Sadhvi Saraswati, who was in Goa to attend a four-day All-India Hindu Convention in June, had said that those who eat beef should be hanged.

"People who take it as status symbol to eat beef, I request the Centre to hang them in public. People will then understand that cow protection is our responsibility," Saraswati had said.

Dayal also said that AICU expressed deep concern over the government's decisions like beef ban and notifications banning cattle trade, suggesting that it would affect the marginalised and the poor in the country.