Cow Theft on the Rise, VHP/BD to Set Up ‘Gau Rakshaks’ in Every Grama Panchayats
Cow Theft on the Rise, Vishwa Hindu Parishad/Bajrang Dal {VHP/BD} to Set Up ‘Gau Rakshaks’ {Cow Protectors} in Every Grama Panchayats
Mangaluru: The recent alleged lynching of cattle trader, Husainabba in Udupi adds to the growing number of such deaths in the coastal region, where moral policing and cattle vigilantism are on the rise. The Karnataka Komu Sauhardha Vedike says there were 12 cases of cattle vigilantism in 2016 here and 22 last year. The cases include attacks not only on those transporting cattle illegally but also those who are doing it legally with all necessary documents. Husainabba, who was allegedly transporting cattle in a Scorpio vehicle on May 30, died after he was waylaid and assaulted by Bajrang Dal activists near Hiriyadka in Udupi. Now cattle traders and transporters are assaulted every year allegedly by saffron vigilante groups, which claim they only stop illegal transport and slaughter. It is really sad that we have failed to put an end to the menace of cattle vigilantism and communal incidents in the region. Those who suffer are the common man.
On the other hand, lashing at the cops for not taking action on menace of cattle vigilantism and communal incidents in the region, Dakshina Kannada VHP district president Jagadish Shenava addressing the media persons during a press meet held at Mangalore Press Club said, ” We need to blame the police for mob lynching in the district. Only if the cops had taken action against miscreants stealing cows and prevented any communal disturbances, there wouldn’t have been any lynching. Neither the VHP nor any Sangh outfit believes in violence. The main reason for such incidents is cattle theft and illegal cattle slaughter. When the government fails to stop it, people and organisations take over to protect their cattle”
Shenava further said, ” Recently a gang of six barged into the barn of Purushottam in Moodushedde near Vamanjoor, threatened the residents by brandishing swords and made off with 2 Jersey cows. The estimated cost of the two cows was approximately Rs. 45,000. When the miscreants arrived at the cattle shed, the dog started barking, so the miscreants killed the dog by poisoning it, and then took off with two cows. Even though police officials visited the spot, carried investigation and registered a case in this regard at Kavoor police station, not much has been done by them. Over a period of time, a total of 21 cows have been stolen from this area forcing the locals to seek police protection.”
“Also in Ullal, two cows were stolen from the shed of Ms Laxmi. The miscreants not only stole the cows, but even slaughtered them in Laxmi’s compound. Until now since few years, Laxmi has lost 15 cows, stolen by thieves. Even in Mahalingeshwara Temple in Attavar, two cows were stolen recently. In spite of all these cow thefts taking place in DK, the police have not taken any action nor taken any preventive measures to stop the cattle stealing. When members of Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal interfere to protect the cattle of the homeowners, the police say they will handle the situation, and that we should not interfere. But with all the cow theft on the rise, seems like nothing much has been done by the police.” added Shenava.
” We don’t trust the police anymore- so we have decided to form ‘Gau Rakshaks’ in every Grama Panchayats/Villages in order to prevent the homeowners cows being stolen. Volunteers as part of ‘Gau Rakshaks’ will work in batches, day and night, and we see that no cattle is stolen in future. It’s left to the police whether they like it or not with our initiative of forming ‘Gau Rakshaks’, but we will go forward with our plans. Also on Thursday, 26 July we have planned a mega protest condemning cow theft and illegal cow slaughter in Vamanjoor at 4 pm, where many saffron organizations will take part and leaders will speak to bring awareness on this on going cow theft/vigilantism. When police have turned a blind eye towards all these cow thefts, we have no other choice than taking the matter into our own hands. We ask for support from the public, especially the Hindus, who not only consider Cow as an animal, but Sacred” concluded Jagadish Shenava. Other members of VHP/BD were also present during the meet.
