Since childhood, we have been taught that man is a social animal. Now it is also said that cow is a 'political animal.'
UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s every move displays the holy cow as a political tool. In the name of cow safety and protection, CM Yogi’s decisions are proving to be a disadvantage for people.
Near UP’s Aligarh, the confrontation between ‘Anndaata’ (farmers) and the cow has only intensified, with farmers chasing cattle and locking them in schools and health centres.
The UP government had declared that cow shelters will be built in 68 districts of the state, and excise, other measures and 0.5% cow welfare cess will be imposed. The government would also give Rs 100 crore to village panchayats, municipalities and corporations.
However, in many districts, the land for cow shelters has not been identified yet.
Officials in Uttar Pradesh have said that farmers leaving their cattle to roam on the roads hinders with the process to conduct the census. On 7 December 2018, the central government pulled up UP officials over the issue. Evidently, the government’s tall promises fell short of the results.
Out of 112 samples tested from UP, Maharashtra, Bihar, Kerala, Goa and Punjab, the National Research Centre on Meat (NRCM) in Hyderabad found only eight that were cow meat. Clearly, the hype created in the country over beef is more politics than reality.
Commissions are being formed, ministries have been set up and taxes are being levied in the name of the cow, but the cow is either dying in shelters or found chewing on plastic on the roads.
We understand that the cow is being used as a political tool, but we request all the
self-proclaimed gau rakshaks (cow vigilantes) and CM Yogi Adityanath not to encourage violence and hate in the name of the cow.
(This story was originally published on Quint Hindi)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)