When will the ban on cow slaughter, cow-smuggling and illegal slaughterhouses be imposed? - Mr. Sanjay Sharma, Shrishivachhatrapati Goraksha Jan Andolan

‘Strictly implement the ban on cow slaughter law’ – Unanimous demand in a special webinar

Mumbai – ‘While there is an Act banning the cow slaughter, cows are being slaughtered in a broad daylight all over the State. We have gathered information along with evidence about all the cow slaughter and cow-smuggling taking place in the State. We will be handing it over to the State Government soon. When will the Government use this law to ban cow slaughter, cow-smuggling and illegal slaughterhouses ?’ asked Mr. Sanjay Sharma, senior cow protector Shrishivachhatrapati Goraksha Jan Andolan from Dhule. He was speaking at a special webinar on ‘Is Gomata safe in Maharashtra ?’ organised by Hindu Janajagruti Samiti. If no action is taken in this regard, a people’s movement will be launched at the State level for the protection of cows, in the next two-three months. Thousands of cow protectors from 400 talukas of the State will participate in this, warned Mr. Sharma on this occasion.

The webinar was viewed by 23,453 people on ‘YouTube Live’ and ‘Facebook’ and reached 36,209 people. Online statements demanding to stop the slaughter of cows were sent to the Chief Minister from various Districts. Awareness was also created against this through an online petition. The campaign also received a spontaneous response. As a result, the topic #gohatya_roko_dharma_bachao was also trending on Twitter.

‘The cow slaughter laws should be enacted and strictly enforced at the national level’ – Sunil Ghanwat, State Organiser of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti for Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh

On the occasion, Mr. Sunil Ghanwat, State Organiser of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti for Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh States said, “Today, not only in Maharashtra but all over the country, cows are completely insecure. There are 66,000 legal and illegal slaughterhouses operating across the country. In 1947, there were 90 crore indigenous cattle in the country. Today, 22 out of 29 States in the country have a law to ban the cow slaughter; still, cow slaughter is rampant across the country. If this continues, it may be time for the next generation to see a cow only in images. The cow slaughter laws should be strictly enforced at the national level at least now”.

‘The Police neglect due to political pressure’ – Mr. Abhay Singh, Manager of Ahimsa Tirtha Goshala at Jalgaon

The Manager of Ahimsa Tirtha Goshala at Jalgaon, Mr. Abhay Singh said, “The Police were helping in the past to rescue the cows; however, due to political pressure, the Police now withdraw from this duty. Many a times, the cattle are found dead during transport”.

‘The cow protectors are being driven out of Districts by filing false cases against them’ – Adv. Nilesh Sangolkar, Organiser of Hindu Vidhidnya Parishad

Adv. Nilesh Sangolkar, Organiser of Hindu Vidhidnya Parishad said, “There are many laws prohibiting the movement of cattle to slaughterhouses or elsewhere illegally. However, the Government needs to show willpower. Today, instead of cow-smugglers, cow protectors are being driven out of Districts by filing false cases against them. We are fighting against such injustice”.

‘The cow protectors are harassed’ – Mr. Diptesh Patil, the Coordinator of Hindu Govansh Raksha Samiti

Mr. Diptesh Patil, the Coordinator of Hindu Govansh Raksha Samiti, said while describing his experience of cattle protection, “The cattle from rural areas of Maharashtra are brought to cities like Mumbai and slaughtered; however, those who smuggled and slaughtered cows were not punished on expected lines. On the contrary, the cow protectors are harassed. An outcry about this among the people is witnessed”.