‘Gau rakshaks must not worry about courts, govt’
The Rash triya Swayams evak Sangh supremo, Mohan Bhagwat, on Saturday took a strong exception over communalisation of cow protection in the country and claimed that several Muslims are also involved in the activity of cow protection, its promotion and management of cow shelters.
Addressing the RSS swayamsevaks on the occasion of annual Vijaydashami programme here at Reshimbagh, he dismissed the allegations that cow protectors were involved in communal violence and asserted that they were protecting cow within the constitutional framework.
Bhagwat said a “nefarious campaign” was underway against cow protectors and urged people “who are piously involved in the activity” to not “worry or get distracted with the well intentioned statements by highly placed people in the government or remarks made by Courts”.
“The word vigilantism has been misused by people. At the same time, many people have been killed by cow smugglers. For progress of small farmers, rearing of cow is must. Protect- ing cow and cow based agriculture is directed by Constitution. We must look at the issue of cow protection beyond religion ,” he said and claimed that many Muslims have sacrificed their life for gau raksha — protection of the cow — just like people of Bajrang Dal have.
Praising cow protectors, particularly Bajrang Dal, he said volunteers of the Hindutva group and other organisations were peacefully involved in the campaign, which “is also included in the Directive Principles of our Constitution”.
› n The word vigilantism has been misused. At the same time, many people have been killed by cow smugglers... We must look at the issue of cow protection beyond religion
MOHAN BHAGWAT, RSS chief