Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK/SP)
Mangaluru, Nov 24: Referring to the land allotment to Coast Guard and a cow shelter facing closure, Sri Rishikumar Swami of Kalika Math, Arsikere said, “When I look at the decision to close Kapila Park cow shelter, I recall the state government’s words which said in their election manifesto that they will impose ban on cow slaughter within 24 hours after coming to power. I want to ask the government whether they are imposing a ban on cow slaughter or ban on cow shelter.
Addressing media on Tuesday November 24, he said, “I want to ask MP Nalin Kumar Kateel who sought votes of Hindus by wearing saffron shawl raising the slogan 'Jai Go Matha' and B S Yediyurappa who came to power using the name of Hindu religion. Cannot they notice Kapila Park cow shelter which on the verge of closure?
“An official named Binoy is threatening to destroy the cow shelter. Who is in support of these officials who threaten? Is it Nalin? Is it possible for him to threaten without the support of Nalin?
“We respect Nalin, but he needs to save the cow shelter. Members of BJP are living their life by telling lies and also a lie that they are pro-Hindu. They said about protecting cows. When they will do it? Was it a falsely written in the manifesto about banning cow slaughter? If the government could not save this cow shelter then this government is not a pro-Hindu government.
“If the cows have no shelter to live, then why drape that saffron shawl? There is no need to threaten to evict the cow shelter. There is a certain legal procedure which has to be followed. We are suspicious that MP Nalin has joined hands with the officials. I urge all the Swamijis to take steps to save this cow shelter,” he said.
Trustee of the shelter Prakash Shetty said, “Kapila Park (Regd) located at Pejawar, Kenjar post here, has been operating a cow shelter for indigenous breeds at Kenjar Pejawar. The unique feature of this shelter it that it has been breeding the 'Kapila' breed of cows from Karnataka, a religious species on the verge of extinction, besides others. The trust has been looking after the cows in a building spread over 12,000 square feet since the last eight years spread over Maravoor and Kenjar village.
“The shelter since the last some months is being managed by Sumedha Trust run by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh volunteers under the guidance of the trust. The land in question was brought from individuals legally and the land on which the cow shelter stands is not disputed.
“The land where the cow shelter stands is now planned to be allocated to the Coast Guard to establish its facilities. We are under immense pressure from Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board officials since a month to vacate the land to make way for the Coast Guard. It is the duty of citizens to protect the rare breed of cows and the cow shelter is now facing eviction. We have requested the chief minister through a letter to see that the shelter is saved. We have the blessings of the Pejawar Swamiji and Vajradehi Swamiji to uphold the ideals of Hindu religion and hence sought the chief minister's support to continue to operate the cow shelter facility,” he said.