New Delhi: Calling for a nationwide ban on slaughterhouses, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday said violence in the name of cow protection should be shunned adding that such incidents defames the cause.
“There should be cow projection laws, but violence in the name of cow protection should not be encouraged. It defames our cause. In a modern scientific era, the cow plays a cardinal role. Being a veterinary doctor myself, I know the true value of nurturing cows,” Bhagwat said at an event in the national capital.
He, however, said the work of cow protection should be carried out within the ambit of law.
“We are trying to protect our cows. We want to stop cow slaughter all over India. In many states, wherever the RSS has its presence in the government, it has legislated specific laws to tackle this. I believe that it should be dealt within the ambit of law,” Bhagwat added.
The RSS chief’s remarks come in the wake of Alwar violence where Pehlu Khan, a dairy farmer, was allegedly thrashed by Gau Rakshaks over the suspicion of smuggling cows.
So far four people have been arrested by the police in connection with the case.
Earlier today, Rajasthan Home Minister Gulab Singh Kataria denied claims made by the family members of Khan that he was falsely accused of smuggling cows as he had valid purchase documents.
“I am reiterating that he did not have any valid paper. Apart from a Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO), no one can authorise anyone to transport cows,” Kataria told ANI.
“There were some people who thrashed him and when the police reached the spot, they ran away. It was the police who admitted him to hospital and on the same day registered the case under 308, attempt to murder. And when he died we converted the case to section 302. We even apprehended four people,” he added.
An FIR, which was filed against Khan for illegally transporting cows for slaughter, states that he did not have valid purchase documents.
However, the family members of the deceased stated that the victim showed the attackers the receipt of legally purchased cows, but they continued to thrash them.
On Friday, the Rajasthan Government sent a report to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on the Alwar incident after the Supreme Court earlier issued a notice to the government seeking a reply on the matter within three weeks.
—ANI