‘Beat Them Up, But Don’t Break Their Bones’: VHP to Gau Rakshaks

A member of VHP said he doesn’t “agree with what Modi says” and that cattle smugglers should be taught a lesson.

In a meeting of top gau rakshaks on Sunday, a member of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad’s (VHP) cow protection department, Khemchand, advised young cow vigilantes to tackle cattle smugglers by beating them up but stopping short of breaking their bones, reports The Times of India.

I often say to my workers – maaro magar haddi mat todo (beat them up but don’t break their bones). If you break someone’s bones, then you will get in trouble with the police.

Khemchand, Member, VHP’s Cow Protection Department

Speaking to a gathering of top gau rakshaks from western UP, Braj region and Uttarakhand, he said encouraged VHP workers to enlist more non-VHP volunteers for the cause as “cow protection, not ‘Make in India’ will save the country.”

While saying so, Khemchand criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his recent statement slamming fake cow vigilantes, but said that “we shouldn’t take law into our hands.”

I don’t agree with most of what Modi said. Back in the old days, our country was called ‘sone ki chidiya’ (golden bird). There was no industry back then. India can be saved by the cow, not ‘Make in India’.

Khemchand

He added that they should spread the cause of cow protection so that “no cattle smuggler would dare” to carry out illegal trade of the animal.

Last year, a video of Bajrang Dal member Vivek Premi flogging a Muslim man for alleged cow slaughter as a crowd stood by went viral and brought everyone’s attention towards the hooliganism that was passed off as cow protection. Premi was charged under the National Security Act. Addressing the situation, Khemchand said that there that is no need to “show off like that,” as it just gets you in trouble.

(With inputs from The Times of India.)