YOGI: EQUALLY COMMITTED TO PROTECTING HUMAN LIFE, COWS

LUCKNOW : Days after a man was allegedly lynched in Rajasthan by cow vigilantes, chief minister Yogi Adityanath said his government was “equally committed” to protecting human life and cow.

“We will provide protection to everyone. People are important, the cow is also important,” he said. “With laws already in place to protect cows and the government being responsive to this issue, violence in the name of cow protection would not be tolerated,” he told news channels.

But he has also made clear in his remarks over the last two days that the government was committed to ensuring protection to cattle from smuggling and slaughter.

Referring to the incidents of mob lynching, Yogi said, “No such case has been reported from UP so far but wherever these are happening, they have to be stopped.”

“However, cow smuggling and slaughter also should be stopped,” he said adding “Under no circumstances can we allow cow slaughter and smuggling. Everyone’s faith must be respected.” Adityanath rejected the charge that stray cows were causing problems for farmers.

“The problem of stray cattle has existed in the state even before we came to power. In fact, it is our government which has created ‘gaushalas’ for cows in each district in the state,” he said.

Adityanath’s remarks come after the recent death of 28-yearold Rakbar Khan, who was lynched by a group of men in Rajasthan’s Alwar district on suspicion of cattle smuggling.