An animated video made by the right-wing Virat Hindustan Sangam (VHS) is going viral on social media. It is a trailer detailing the benefits of protecting and revering the Bos Indicus, or India’s indigenous cow breed.
The ‘teaser’ begins with flashing text: “Cow is divine blessings... Over 98% of agriculture in India depends on cows... Dung of one cow is enough to fertilize five acre land... Cow milk and ghee helps develop the brain of children.”
The purpose of this video is to mobilise cow-lovers ahead of the National Conference on Bos Indicus: The Glorious Indian Cow to be held on Sunday 18 June in the glitzy Bombay Stock Exchange complex in Bandra-Kurla complex, Mumbai.
What Happens at a Cow Conference?
BJP MP and founder of VHS, Dr Subramanian Swamy will deliver the keynote address in the conference that expects to see “750 intellectuals” from across fields. Other prominent speakers include Kamal Thapa, Deputy Prime Minister of Nepal; Hansraj Ahir, MoS Home; Hrishikesh Mafatlal, Chairman of Arvind Mafatlal Group; and, Vivek Oberoi, Bollywood actor.
A cow connect app and a book called Capitalism, Communism and Cowism written by Sahdeo Dasa will also be launched on Sunday. Farmers, breeders, gau-palaks (cow herders) and researchers will be felicitated during the event.
Through panel discussions, audio-visual presentations and audience interaction, the conference will cover the topics of ‘cow and economics’; ‘cow and agriculture and environment’; ‘cow and spirituality’; and, ‘cow and health’.
A four-page invitation, a copy of which is with The Quint, details the itinerary for the conference, including “Did You Know?” facts about the cow, and quotes from Presidents to Jesus Christ about preserving the sacred animal. The event is a paid one, the proceeds for which go to Sri Chaitanya Seva Trust, which provides charitable healthcare in Mumbai. Tickets are priced at Rs 1,000 starting 11 June, including breakfast and lunch.
Timing Is Key
This conference is a part of the concerted effort made by the RSS and BJP to save Indian breeds of cows, to which end several cow-protection schemes and shelters have been created for Indian breeds since 2014.
This conference also comes at a time when southern and north-eastern states of India like Kerala, West bengal and Meghalaya are strongly opposing the centre’s recent notification banning the sale of cattle for slaughter in agricultural markets. BJP’s leader in Meghalaya quit the party over this issue last week as tensions escalated in the state.
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