Panaji, Oct 18 (IANS): People should re-dedicate themselves to the principle of "live and let live" on the occasion of Diwali, Goa Governor Mridula Sinha said on Tuesday in her address ahead of the festival of lights.

"The people should re-dedicate themselves to the principle of 'live and let live' in the great country and pledge to work for promoting peace, communal harmony," Sinha said.

The comments come at a time when the state has witnessed a bitter debate over shortage of beef as well a series of desecrations of both Catholic and Hindu religious icons, which resulted in Goa's Roman Catholic Church criticising the BJP-led coalition government in the coastal state.

"It is the festival restatement of the belief that the good ultimately triumphs over evil," she said.

In his public address, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar also said that Diwali should inspire one towards the path of truth and popularise the ideas of national unity and cohesion.

"On this solemn occasion, let the lamp of compassion, love, and righteousness be illuminated and move forward on the path of progress and prosperity," Parrikar said.