PM Modi condemns cow vigilantism, opposition unimpressed

Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad on Thursday alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was seeking publicity by criticising the violence in the name of cow vigilantism.

Azad said, "This is only a publicity stunt. He is making statement under public pressure after the people protested against such attacks. It is an eye wash, we don't believe him." Earlier today, Prime Minister Modi condemned the growing atrocities against innocent people in the guise of cow protection, and said that killing people in the name of 'Gau Bhakti' is not acceptable. "Killing people in the name of Gau Bhakti is not acceptable. This is not something that Mahatma Gandhi would have approved. There is no place for violence in the society," Prime Minister Modi said at Sabarmati Ashram centenary celebrations in Ahmedabad.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi need not remind people of Mahatma Gandhi's ideals but should ensure strict action against those attacking people on the pretext of protecting cows, Left parties today said. On the prime minister's statement that unleashing violence against others went against the ideals of Gandhi, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury said: "We do not need him to remind us of this."

"We are aware of Gandhi's principles ... We want to know what the prime minister proposes to do to stop such mobocracy," he said. In an open letter, CPI general secretary S Sudhakar Reddy welcomed Modi's "another" warning to the "so-called" cow vigilantes.

"In spite of Modi's severe warning to them", anti-social elements are continuing with their activity. It is not clear to people what is encouraging them, it said. Ministers in the BJP-ruled states are supporting cow vigilantes, directly or indirectly, through their statements. No action has been taken against cow vigilantes or in cases of attacks on Dalits, he alleged.

"It is more like a warlord's regime of Middle Ages then a democratic government of the 21st century in India, especially in BJP-ruled states ... Real, serious steps should be taken to stop these killings at once," he added. CPI national secretary D Raja said a series of protests against mob attacks targeted at minorities impelled the prime minister to speak on the issue.

Raja said Modi being the prime minister has all information on such incidents and can take necessary steps to control the situation. "Incidents of lynching are occurring mainly in BJP-ruled states. So, he should direct these states to take action," he added. 

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi today termed as "mere lip service" the prime minister's statement against violence in the name of cow protection and said the BJP and Sangh-affiliated outfits have put a lower premium on human life. The Lok Sabha member from Hyderabad said this is the second time Narendra Modi has spoken on the issue but it did not have any effect at all on Gaurakshaks (cow vigilantes), nor did it bring down the incidents of killing or lynching. "So, this is merely lip service and there is many a slip between the cup and the lip ... the majority of incidents have taken place in BJP-ruled states. How is it that the BJP-ruled states are not able to stop it?" he asked. Owaisi said such incidents would continue because the BJP and Sangh-affiliated organisations have put a lower premium on human life as compared to that of an animal.

"This will continue to happen because there is a lesser premium on human life, especially if the human being is a Muslim or a Dalit," he alleged. "nternational media has carried adverse reports and the prime minister is only paying lip service, Owaisi said. "As long as there is a lower price on human life, these incidents will continue to happen because Gaurakshaks are getting direct, indirect support from the BJP and the Sangh Parivar ... They are getting emboldened," he alleged. The killers of Pehlu Khan in BJP-ruled Rajasthan were yet to be arrested. "Walk the Talk, Mr PM," the AIMIM chief posted on Twitter. Khan was killed allegedly by cow vigilantes in Rajasthan's Alwar district while he was transporting cows for his dairy farm earlier this year.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today said that killing in the name of 'gau raksha' must stop and just words were not enough. "We condemn killings taking place in the name of gau raksha. This must stop now. Just words not enough", Banerjee said in a tweet.

We condemn killings taking place in the name of gau raksha. This must stop now. Just words not enough

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) June 29, 2017