As the BJP-led NDA government faces widespread criticism for attacks on Dalits by cow vigilantes, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his maiden visit to Telangana on Sunday asked perpetrators of violence against Dalits to attack him before they attacked Dalits. He also said that “70-80 percent [of cow vigilantes] will be those who indulge in anti-social activities and try to hide their sins by pretending to be Gau Rakshaks”.
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But the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party government has come under increasing pressure from Hindu hardliners to do more to protect cows.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said his Government would continue the development agenda which will take the country into new growth path. “To hide their bad activities, they don the mantle of cow protectors”, he said, in his first public snub to the vigilantes perpetrating brutalities in the name of cow protection.
“Some people who have opened their shops in the name of cow protectors, I feel anguished by them”.
Cows are considered sacred by Hindus and killing them is banned in most Indian states. “India is a county full of diversities, different values and traditions and protecting its unity and integrity is our prime responsibility”, the PM said.
According to Dal Khalsa, Modi’s snub to so-called cow protectors came only after worldwide media and the credible NGO’s took strong exception to religious intolerance under BJP regime. “This game should stop”, he said addressing BJP workers here. “We are running this Government as per the wishes and aspirations of the people of India”, he added further.
Calling on the nation to understand the vision of PM Modi when he launched “Swachita Abhiyan”, Singh explained that the death of cows were mostly related to the plastic garbage they feed on. “I would like to tell these people that if you have any problem, if you have attack, attack me”. There is a need to punish these people.
PM Narendra Modi thanked all parties in the Parliament for clearing the GST Bill recently and said that it was a big economic reform that the country had waited for long. The incident took place in Modi’s home state of Gujarat in eastern India.
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Echoing similar sentiments, JD (U) leader Pavan Verma said had the PM given a stern message earlier, the “menace” of gau rakshaks could have been prevented.
