Self-styled protectors of cows are defaming Hinduism, says RSS

NAGPUR/LUCKNOW: The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the ideological fountainhead of the BJP-led government in the Centre, on Monday strongly condemned the recent attacks on Dalits across the country in the name of cow protection and echoed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s thoughts that such attackers should be dealt with firmly.

A section of RSS leaders at the headquarters here, however, felt that the Una flogging and other recent atrocities against Dalits were part of a conspiracy to defame the BJP and polarise the Dalit voters against the party — which is perceived to be pro-Hindu — ahead of the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections.

Former RSS spokesman and a think tank of the organisation, MG Vaidya, said the government should take stern action against those who attacked Dalits in the name of cow protection.

“When there is a law against cow slaughter and provision of punishment for such acts, the cow protectors should inform the police about it instead of taking the law in their own hands,” he said.

The RSS leader felt the selfstyled cow vigilantes were defaming Hinduism.

He ruled out the Sangh’s association with the vigilantes.

“The government should probe into it and find out those elements’ credentials so that truth is out before the people,” he said. A senior RSS sevak said harassing Dalits was not only illegal but also an inhuman act.

The RSS workers were asked to adopt Dalit families and eat with them. It has also launched a programme in villages called ‘One well, one temple and one crematorium’ to maintain peace, harmony and brotherhood among the rural folk, Vaidya said. BJP PLAYING DUAL GAME, SAYS AKHILESH

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh CM Akhilesh Yadav on Monday targeted the PM for his alleged delayed response to the recent incidents of self-styled cow vigilantes attacking those found transporting cows reportedly for slaughter.

Yadav said the issue had been raised by the PM’s team own people and hinted that the BJP was playing a dual game. “Everybody knows the BJP. The cow vigilante issue has been harming the nation. But they understood this only when the issue began hurting them,” he said.