New Delhi, May 26 (IANS). Political rhetoric has intensified after former Vice President Hamid Ansari’s appeal not to sacrifice cow on the occasion of Bakrid and to declare cow as the national animal. National Democratic Alliance (NDA) leaders have supported Hamid Ansari’s statement on this issue.
Speaking to IANS, Bihar BJP President Sanjay Saraogi welcomed Hamid Ansari’s statement and said, “Cow must be declared the national animal. Cow worship has been practiced in the Sanatan culture of India for thousands of years. Cow is our mother. From birth till death, mother cow serves man in the form of milk, ghee, cow dung and cow urine. Cow slaughter should be stopped and cow should get the status of national animal.”
Bihar government minister Ramkripal Yadav said, “Hamid Ansari has been the former Vice President of this country. Cow slaughter has been happening on a large scale in the country, but now people are becoming aware. Cow livestock is the basis of the economy of our villages. The economy of villages depends on animal husbandry. Cow slaughter is sad. Those who kill cows should stop it themselves.”
Meanwhile, Bihar government minister Dilip Jaiswal expressed happiness over Ansari’s statement and said, “God has given good wisdom to Hamid Sahab. It is heartening to see such a statement coming from his side.”
Subhashpa chief and Uttar Pradesh government minister Dilip Jaiswal said, “This is his personal opinion. Under the Constitution under which the country is running and which was prepared by Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar, work should be done seriously on whether animal sacrifice is banned or not.”
NDA leaders have supported Hamid Ansari’s statement. Many Hindutva organizations have been demanding for a long time to declare cow as the national animal. At the same time, some opposition parties have linked it to communal agenda.
Hamid Ansari’s statement has come at a time when sensitive discussions are going on in different parts of the country regarding Bakrid. Strict laws regarding cow protection are already in force in many states.
–IANS
SCH/PM