Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)
Mangaluru, Jul 13: The Vishwa Hindu Parishad along with Bajrang Dal and other like-minded outfits on Monday July 13 held a massive rally and a protest meet against the recent incidents of cattle trafficking and slaughter and called for enforcement of law against these activities.
Hundreds of activists walked from Jyothi (Dr Ambedkar circle) to Central Maidan where the protest meet was held.
Addressing the gathering, VHP international vice-president Hukumchand Sawla said, "The hands that can lift the flag can also use its pole against the cattle slaughters. The problem will not be solved by waving the flag but only by using its pole. Western countries think that the entire world is a market and everyone is a consumer, but in Indian culture thinks of the world as a family where everyone has a right to live.
Recalling history, he said, "The then British governor general of Bengal Lord Clive introduced three immoral policies, giving permission for the first slaughterhouse in Kolkata,, licence to sell alcohol and opening brothel.
"In 1857, Bahadur Shah Zafar announced a farman (decree) which had three main points - that after Independence there will be Ram Janmabhoomi for unity of Hindus and Muslims, secondly, everyone can follow their religion but no one can convert, and three, cattle slaughterers should be punished with death. It was Bakrid and even though there were no proper communication channels like we have today, not a single cow was slaughtered," he added.
"This time at the centre we have a Swabhiman government. We demand that the decree of Bahadur Shah should be followed and cow slaughterers be punished with death," he demanded.
"In Karnataka the previous government had introduced anti-cow slaughter bill but after the cow-slaughtering government (Congress) came to power, it finished off the bill. I demand from the youth - if the present state government does not enforce law against cattle slaughter, then change the government. In Rajasthan, UP and Madhya Pradesh law has already been enforced banning cattle slaughter, and the same should be done in Karnataka also," he added.
"We can tolerate anything but not insult to 'go mata'. Beef is exported to 64 countries from India. In 2008-09 as much as 4.7 lac tonne of beef was exported, in 2009-10 it was 4.62 lac tonne, in 2010-11 the quantity was 4.9 lac tonne, in 2012-13 it was 15 lac tonne, and in 2013-14, it was 12.5 lac tonne. The previous government also said that 35 lac tonne of beef would be exported. The exports are increasing while cattle population is on the decline. In 1975, there were 267 registered slaughter houses but now the number of registered abattoirs is 36,000," Sawla said, adding, ""The previous government also introduced machineries in slaughter houses."
Raising concerns about scarcity of milk, he said, "In India there is a shortage of 21 lac litres of milk because of reduced cattle population. There is no milk, instead we are importing it from foreign countries. The imported milk is mixed with chemicals and we are paying for that. To increase cattle population, law should be enforced."
"Beef is exported and manure is imported from 14 countries. If the same manure is purchased in India from farmers they will not have to sell their cows. But this will not happen because political leaders will not get commission," he said.
"In India the number of jersey cows has increased. An American institute has reported that the milk of jersey cows causes cancer, hence cancer patients are also increasing. Let us protect the cattle. If we save cattle we can save the entire country. If cattle is slaughtered, the country will get divided. We will not allow anyone to slaughter cattle nor break the country," he asserted.
Hitting out at terror-accused Hafiz Saeed of Pakistan, he said, "We prepare Ravana out of paper, but we should also be aware of the Ravana that roams our streets and villages - do u know him? Bajrang Dal activists should listen carefully - the Ravana that is roaming in a village wears a gold topi and a beard like goats and stolen chappals - To identify this Ravana watch TV - it is Hafiz Saeed who is in Pakistan. He's responsible for slaughter, love Jihad and is protecting criminals, and placing bombs in trains and buses. Rise and fill yourself with energy to burn this Ravana."
He also called for setting up of cow protection units (goshalas) in jails. "Bajrang Dal activists are going to jail to save go mata, but political leaders are going to jail in corruption cases," he quipped.
Provincial executive president of VHP Karnataka M B Puranik said, "During the time of independence, there was one cow for three people, but as the days passed, the ratio declined, and now it is one cow for 56 people. Cattle population has declined, and houses which look after cattle have also declined.
"In this modern era educated women do not want to marry into agricultural families, and people also think agriculture is not profitable. Farmers are facing problems as they use chemical fertilizers which make the land barren. Farmers do not get proper yield and hence make no profit. Even in Dakshina Kannada houses with cows have decreased and those few families who look after cattle with much care lose them to thieves. This has been happening since six years and farmers are fed up. This protest is not against anyone. Many families depend on cow products. The anti-cow state government should enforce law against cow slaughter. Though police are doing their job there is much interference from the state government. Our youths are ready to support the police in this cause," he said.
Kateel Dinesh Pai delivered the keynote address. Dr Krishna Bhat also spoke on the occasion.
Dr P Ananth Bhat, Premalatha Achar, Sharan Pumpwell, Krishna Murthy, Jagadish Shenava and others were present.