Maldharis to meet Narendra Modi today

Finally, Maldharis will get to voice their concern to Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi over the long-standing issue of illegal cow slaughter in the state. On Saturday afternoon, a delegation of 35 Maldhari community leaders from across the state will discuss the issue with the CM and put forth their demands.

The meeting was originally set for Friday, but the Maldharis were given only half hour's time to meet Modi. Thus, the meeting was shifted to Saturday, when they would get around two hours to discuss the issue in detail.

Community leaders are also gearing up to make an effective representation of the whole issue. Apart from the recent details of cow slaughter crimes in the state, leaders have also gathered crucial information about previous judgments by courts and questions raised in the assembly sessions as far back as 12 years ago regarding the issue.

According to prominent Maldhari leader Teja Desai, an MLA from Maliya constituency had raised the issue during an assembly session in 1998, and asked the government to reveal details about the action taken against people involved in cow trafficking and transporting.

"In the answer, the government had replied that the police have been told to detain vehicles involved in trafficking. The government also accepted that many vehicles have been seized," said Desai, who will put forward such details in the meeting to strengthen their argument of seizing the vehicles till the case runs its course in court. 

Maldharis are demanding a hefty fine and rigorous imprisonment for those involved in the crime of trafficking and slaughtering of cows. They want at least Rs10 lakh as fine and one year imprisonment for those caught by the police.

However, the community is also sceptical about the new bill prepared by the government to curb cow slaughter. According to Desai, community members will also discuss the draft bill in the meeting. "We have been informed that the government is considering seizure of vehicles for only six months and Rs50,000 as fine. We want the government to clarify their stand," said Desai, who wishes that such vehicles be impounded permanently.