Just a day after PM Narendra Modi came down heavily on the so-called Gau Rakshaks, a self-styled cow vigilante group from Karnataka called ‘Karnataka Gau Rakshak Dal’ has asked the PM to bring an uniform law to protect cow (interestingly called for an enactment of a central law). The organisation has written a letter to PM seeking strict punishment for those indulging in cow slaughter.
The letter assumes importance as the Prime Minister had criticised the cow vigilante groups attacking Dalits and Muslims across the country. In fact the Gau Raksha Dal’s decision to up the ante comes after PM Modi broke his silence on cow vigilantism and said he felt enraged at such ‘anti-social elements’ who indulged in crimes by the night and masqueraded as cow protectors by the day.
PM had said that the real cow protectors do not terrorise the people. “I feel infuriated at some people who have opened shops in the name of cow protection. I have seen that some people who commit anti-social activities at night, don the mantle of cow protectors by the day.”
As per the letter, at a meeting of the federation held at the Udupi Mutt presided by Sri Vishvesha Thirtha Swamiji of Pejawar Mutt, it was decided that the Karnataka Gau Rakshak Dal would urge the Union Government to ban cow slaughter and enact a law. The letter adds that “majority of the people of India today have the belief that cow and its progeny are holy. Therefore we request you to enact a stringent contract law banning cow slaughter”. The letter has been signed by State president MB Puranik and State convener Kateel Dinesh Pai.
Vishwesha Swamiji of Pejawar Mutt in Udupi is an influential seer and union Minister Uma Bharathi and many other BJP leaders including party patriarch lK Advani visit him and consider him as their guru.
The letter also says banning cow slaughter does not violate the fundamental right of Indian people. The letter quotes 2005 Supreme Court judgment in the case of Gujarat vs Mirjapur Moti Quareshi Ksab which says banning of cow slaughter does not violate the fundamental right of butchers. It also called for an amendment of the prevention of cruelty to animals act 1960 to rise the punishment for cruelty in transporting cattle.