Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh president Mohan Bhagwat on Tuesday spoke about stopping cow slaughter in the country, stressing that it is necessary to make the community a ‘gao bhakt’ (one who holds cow in high esteem) in order to do so.
Bhagwat said that while those in power at present have the intention to end cow slaughter, they will need to raise awareness in the society, after which he said an effective ban on cow slaughter will come on its own.
“Samaj ko jao bhakt banao, jao hatya apne aap rock jayegi (Make the community dedicated to the cow, cow slaughter will stop on its own),” Mohan Bhagwat said while addressing a gathering of seers and invitees at the 452 Jayanti Mahotsav at Sant Malukdas in Vrindavan.
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Bhagwat drew parallels in public sentiment regarding this issue and in Ram Mandir. “Ram Mandir could not have happened in the first term of 2014-19 but it happened in the second term. The Supreme Court used to say that they have many important matters to take up other than the Ram Mandir issue but that happened when,”Jan Bhavna“(The desire of the masses) became strong and the Ram Mandir appeared,” he said. Bhagwat said the demand to ban cow slaughter would get the same support “once it becomes the desire of the masses.”
“Awareness needs to be raised about cow protection”: Bhagwat
The government must raise awareness on the issue before finding a “solution” on the issue, Bhagwat said, adding that “the masses will then follow suit”.
The RSS chief said: “The system cannot find the solution on its own. If there is a red light but the masses do not follow it, it is of no use, but once the masses agree to follow it and stop it, the red light will be effective.”
He added: “Those in power at present want to ban cow slaughter, and I personally am aware of that. They will do so, but before taking this courageous step, they have to face dozens of issues. Those in power must discuss and raise the issue of banning cow slaughter among the masses.”
Bhagwat said that awareness must be raised regarding cow protection and stressed that many support the ‘gaushala’.
“Although it is difficult to raise cows in cities, many support ‘gaushalas’ (cow protection houses). This awareness should be spread about cow protection, relief will come automatically,” he said. ‘Jaan Bhawna“(The desire of the masses) is being raised in the society because the decision-makers (vyavstha) had to bow down to the ‘jan-bhawna’ (the desire of the masses),” Bhagwat said and cited the example of the construction of the Ram Mandir.
He further said that the RSS has been making efforts to ban cow slaughter since 1952, adding that they have sent a letter signed by 2 crore Indians to the President of India.
“The Sangh is still attached to this issue and is making every effort to move for mass awareness to provide ‘mother’ status to the cow. Since it is the age of science, we need to convince the masses about the usefulness of the cow in farm, milk production etc.,” Bhagwat said.
“The day when this respect for the cow in the entire nation will become a reality is not far away. But for this…we need changes in society and to make society better, we have traditions set by saints who need to be respected so that they do not face difficult times as they faced during the Mughal rule,” Bhagwat said.
“If Bharat lives, the world will survive. If Bharat prospers, the world will prosper,” he added.
