Senior VHP leaders say the BJP has in principle agreed that cow slaughter should be banned but is yet to take any concrete steps on this issue.
New Delhi: The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) has decided to put pressure on the Modi government to enforce a nation-wide ban on cow slaughter and beef sale, including the BJP-ruled states in the northeast.
The resolution was passed at the two-day annual meeting of the VHP that concluded Monday.
The BJP has so far desisted from talking about this issue in the northeast, fearing it would upset the Christian voters who dominate states such as Meghalaya and Nagaland.
Except Mizoram, the BJP is a part of the ruling alliances in the rest of the six NE states.
Senior VHP leaders claim that the BJP has in principle agreed that cow slaughter should be banned but yet to take any concrete steps, especially the BJP-ruled states in the northeast.
With assembly election in some states in the northeast earlier this year and a protest against the beef ban elsewhere, the BJP was seen to soften its stand on this issue. Party leaders had then said that they would not like to intervene in the cultural habits of any states.
Reiterating its demand made in November last year, the VHP has also sought DNA verification of all meat products being exported from India to ensure that they don’t contain any beef.
The Hindutva outfit also calls for setting up of a separate ministry for “Bharatiya Cow Progeny Protection, Preservation and Promotion” at state and central level, a demand raised at the Dharam Sansad held in Udupi in November last year.
“We spoke to the Centre and were given assurances but no concrete step is taken by the government to ensure a complete ban on cow slaughter,” said a senior VHP functionary.
The VHP also invoked Mahatma Gandhi to strengthen its case of cow protection. “Gandhi said without cow protection ‘swaraj’ is incomplete. We are just following the principles of Gandhi,” said Alok Kumar, working president, VHP.
Rohingyas a threat?
The VHP termed Rohingya refugees as an internal and external security threat. It also passed a resolution to call upon the government to check their infiltration by deploying more BSF personnel along the border with Bangladesh without delay.
Speaking about Dalit issues, Kumar said “VHP will focus on expanding its services to the SCs/STs on economic, health, education and other fronts.”
the VHP suggestion makes a lot of sense. If the cow is to be protected, then the cow should also have economic use beyond its milking life, so a ministry will be able to push those issues. In fact modi govt has been poor quality in holistically looking at any issue, whether defence or cows.