While welcoming Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement against such "cow protectors," they said it was necessary to ensure that these words were translated into action on the ground.
Underlining the threat of cow vigilantism, the RSS-affiliated Muslim Rashtriya Manch (MRM) has been forced to put its plans for starting gaushalas (cow shelters) across India in cold storage.
The reason: Its activists ferrying two cows from Haryana to Delhi were way-laid by these "gaurakshaks" but were saved because of police presence. The outfit says it is unable to transport cows to its proposed shelters in other states, including Maharashtra, because of the possibility of being waylaid by vigilantes.
Admitting there was a "dar ka mahoul" (atmosphere of fear) among Muslims about being framed for cow slaughter, MRM leaders decried overzealous cow protectors who took the law into their hands and pointed that this affects transport of cows and consequently, their conservation. It also leads to farmers getting less prices for their cattle.
While welcoming Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement against such "cow protectors," they said it was necessary to ensure that these words were translated into action on the ground.
"We have land (for goshalas).. but have no assurance from the Centre or local governments. If we are transporting cows and our men are killed, then what kind of cow conservation can we do? Yeh ek bahut bada dar hai hamare dil-o-dimag mein (This is a huge fear in our hearts and minds)," MRM national convenor Mohammed Afzal told dna.
The MRM, the only niche organisation in the Sangh Parivar for Muslims, had planned to start over 10 gaushalas at sites like Lucknow, Varanasi, Mewat, Punjab, Bangalore, Tamil Nadu and in the Pune- Sangli belt in Maharashtra this year.
Interestingly, the MRM is seeking proscription of cow slaughter and had collected over 12 lakh signatures.
"The MRM does not talk of goraksha (cow protection) but... about gopalan (taking care of cows)," said Afzal, adding that last year, they had held a meeting of 10,000 Muslim cow herders from across India at Mewat, where two cows of the 'Rathi' breed were donated to the MRM.
"We wanted to take these two cows from Haryana to Delhi for a goshala. But, we were stopped at at least four places by gaupalaks and different people... in the name of gau-rakshaks," said Afzal, adding that they were given security, first by the Haryana police and then by their counterparts in Delhi in last December.
"Due to this, even good people who want to conserve, develop and protect cows (are discouraged)... we want to transport cows from Punjab and Rajasthan to other places for opening gaushalas but are unable to," he added.
"It is our government, we people (are in power), yet we are scared that God forbid, if we sent cows with some people, they may be shot or killed," said Afzal, adding this had led to them shelving these plans for now. At present, just four gaushalas in Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab are operational.
"Der aaye durust aaye (better late than never)," said Afzal, while welcoming Modi's statement against cow vigilantes. "That fear is there and will stay (of Muslims being framed for cow slaughter)... In today's times, anything is possible," said Afzal.
"It is wrong if people take the law into their hands in the name of gauraksha," he pointed out, adding that gorakshaks could point out wrongdoing to the police. Afzal said cow protection could be achieved only with help from Muslims, majority of whom were against cow slaughter.
"(Cow rearing) can be developed when farmers of the country are attracted towards it due to (economic) benefits," explained Afzal, adding that rearing of cows, especially indigenous breeds, had suffered and were facing the risk of extinction.
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