Mr Shivshankar Swami : The cow protector from Pune who dedicated his entire life to the cause of gau-rakshan

1. Introduction to Shivshankar Swami

Mr Shivshankar Swami hails from Ujni near Ambajogai in Beed district. He received his primary education in a Pune Municipal Corporation school and was actively involved as a youth member in the Swami Vivekananda branch of the Swarupvardhini Sanstha. His father was engaged in the travel business. He spent his childhood in a house that measured just 10 ft x 10 ft. After Class 10, he joined an Industrial Training Institute (ITI).

To support his family financially, he began working in the office of Mr Milind Ekbote, the President of Samasta Hindutvavadi Aghadi, who is also his guiding guru.

Special Column

The sacrifice by the soldiers and generals for the Hindavi Swarajya as envisaged by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is supreme. Similarly, in the present times, many devout Hindus and patriotic citizens of this country have been striving to protect the Nation and Dharma. The ‘Warriors of Hindutva’ is a series of articles that sheds light on their life and their struggle to protect Hindu Dharma. We hope that it serves as a catalyst for the mission of establishing Hindu Rashtra and inspires many others. – Editor

2. How the mission began

One day, while Mr Milind Ekbote’s team set out to rescue cows being taken for slaughter in the Chakan area, Mr Swami accompanied them. On the very day of Lakshmi Pujan, a truck carrying 29 cows for slaughter was intercepted with the help of the Police in Chakan market.
This incident awakened a deep sense of responsibility towards cow protection in Mr Swami. At just 17 years of age, he dedicated himself full-time to gau-rakshan. His parents extended complete support to this mission.

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3. Life-threatening encounters during the mission

a. In 2017, an attempt was made on Mr Swami’s life in the jurisdiction of Shrigonda Police Station. He intercepted a tempo carrying 12 bullocks for slaughter at Kashti. While filing a Police complaint, nearly 100 fanatics gathered at the station, abusing and threatening him.
During the ensuing violence, four of his colleagues were injured; one of whom still struggles to speak. Mr Swami was saved with the help of Police and other volunteers. Despite multiple threats to life and phone calls from Pakistan issuing death warnings, he continued his work with increased vigour.

b. On another occasion, while returning from Ahilyanagar to Pune, Mr Swami spotted a tempo carrying animals for slaughter. Once fanatical butchers realised they were being followed, they chased his vehicle and attacked it with machetes, swords, and sticks, even while it was moving.

Although he reached Alephata Police Station, the attack continued there as well. FIRs were registered against the assailants. It was later discovered that Rs 1 crore had been raised in a mosque in Ahilyanagar as a bounty on his life.

c. In 2019, a group of butchers in Maharashtra collectively raised Rs 7 crore to eliminate Mr Swami. The person who accepted the contract even surveyed his home, a fact the Police later confirmed.

Prior to this, an offer of Rs 8 lakh had been made to break his arms and legs. There were attempts on his life at locations including Perne Phata, Khed Shivapur, Ahilyanagar, Satara, Solapur, Pune, Dharashiv, Beed, Khadkat, Indapur, and Alephata. Yet he never backed down.
Those who tried to extort money in his name were personally apprehended by him and handed over to the Police.

Given the ongoing threats, since 2015, Mr Swami has been provided round-the-clock Police protection. Across Maharashtra, two armed Policemen are stationed with him at all times.

4. Successes in the mission

a. Played a pivotal role in pursuing legal action and ensuring FIRs were registered against more than 800 butchers.

b. Led a legal battle against 87 illegal slaughterhouses, which resulted in their demolition. Additionally, 11 of these were sealed by authorities.

c. In 2019, Mr Swami uncovered a mass slaughter of over 1,000 cows in Baramati (Pune district), where the meat was being exported to Vietnam and Dubai. Following his raid, 75 cows were rescued alive and 55 tonnes of beef worth ₹12 crore was seized. Legal action was initiated against the culprits.

d. Intercepted vehicles smuggling beef for foreign export and handed them over to the Police. This included seizures of 100 tonnes in Khadki (Pune), 28.5 tonnes in Hadapsar, and 55 tonnes in Baramati. FIRs were filed against those involved.

e. In 2011, Mr Swami was appointed as an Honorary Animal Welfare Officer by the State Government. This is a titular position with no remuneration or benefits. However, it grants him formal permission to work alongside Police for the rescue of cattle.

5. Special initiatives

a. After rescuing cows from butchers, Mr Swami ensures they are sent to Government-recognised goshalas. This step is crucial, not just rescuing cows, but also ensuring their lifelong care and well-being. His efforts also assist other gau-rakshaks working on similar lines.

b. Many farmers, especially those from poor financial backgrounds, struggle to care for cows; especially when they grow old and unproductive. Due to this, such cattle often end up sold to butchers or slaughterhouses. To prevent this, Mr Swami offers farmers ₹1,000 more than the prevailing rate and has so far rescued and relocated more than 2,500 cows to goshalas.

Mr Shivshankar Swami’s appeal

“Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the protector of cows and Brahmins, upheld the cause of gau-rakshan at a very young age by severing the hand of a butcher, thereby demonstrating the importance of cow protection to all Hindus. Today, the Police and local Hindu brethren must step forward in this cause. When selling cows, they must be sent to goshalas and not to butchers,” is the earnest appeal Mr Shivshankar Swami consistently makes.