RSS chief's appeal to single out criminals timely
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat's call to distinguish between gau rakshaks and “undesirable elements” in the garb of cow protectors, could not have come a day soon. Criminal elements who take the law into their hands, in the name of protecting cows, must be punished. Genuine cow protectors who operate within the ambit of the law have to be encouraged to carry forward their work. The RSS chief’s appeal to prevent ‘cow vigilantism’ can help identify miscreants. Hundreds of gau sevaks across the country are doing remarkable community service to save the cattle wealth of the nation.
The misconception prevailing among sections of the people, that fake cow vigilantes will get protection from organisations like the RSS, should now stand cleared. The law cannot be breached in the name of cow protection. Anti-social elements who seek to create disharmony in the garb of gau raksha must be identified. Massive protests by Scheduled Caste members in Una, Gujarat, which broke out after the flogging of some of their community folk, had taken place because of the actions of fakegau rakshaks. The post-Una saga saw community members refusing to clean the carcasses, which they had been doing for years. Indeed, the animosity that grew between the Scheduled Castes and the caste Hindus in Una could have been prevented. Of course, politics was played too, which worsened the situation.
Bhagwat's remarks are in line with what Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke last August on cow vigilantes. Modi had firmly warned criminals who were spreading hatred in the name of serving and saving gau mata. The protection and the growth of indigenous varieties of cows are an integral part of our Directive Principles of State Policy. Animal cruelty is also prohibited across the country. So, the cow being central to our socio-economic life is already recognised in good spirit. Cow protection has been existing in Indian society for ages, as it forms an important part of cattle wealth.
The cow is also revered as a sacred animal in Hindu scriptures. Thus, undesirable elements, taking advantage of its status, have been fanning a kind of communal disharmony for quite some time. At times, cow protection has helped these criminals settle personal scores against their rivals. This cannot be tolerated. They must not be sheltered. But also, raking up the issue of cow protection during the NDA Government at the Centre, sends a wrong signal to the people. The Government is projected as encouraging the vigilantes. The Modi Government’s critics want to harm both the Government’s image and the electoral fortunes of the ruling party by incessantly linking fake gau rakshaks with the BJP. To what extent they will succeed, remains to be seen.
Nevertheless, statements by the RSS chief now and Prime Minister Modi earlier, can help bridge the gap between people who are misled into distrust and even violence. Sensing the religious sentiments of communities, law and order agencies must should be on alert against attempts by fake cow vigilantes — and their counterparts — to disturb social harmony in the country. The time now is to de-politicise the cow protection hullabaloo across the country.