To stop cow slaughter, it is necessary to make the society dedicated to cows, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) president Mohan Bhagwat said on Tuesday, adding that he would like a Ram temple-style fervor for this purpose.
While addressing a gathering of seers and invitees on the 452nd birth anniversary of Maluk Das Ji Maharaj at Maluk Peth in Vrindavan, Bhagwat said, “To stop cow slaughter, it is necessary to make the community a ‘gao bhakt’.”
Read also | Those who made sacrifices for the cause of Ram Temple should be at peace today: Mohan Bhagwat
Bhagwat compared the construction of the Ram temple and the “feeling” of cows
Referring to the landmark Supreme Court judgment of November 9, 2019, which paved the way for the construction of Ram Janmabhoomi temple in Ayodhya, Bhagwat said: “Ram Mandir was not brought up between 2014 and 2019. It came after 2019. The Supreme Court, which was saying that they had many important matters to take up other than the Ram Mandir issue, had ruled in favor of construction of Ram temple when the ‘jan bhavna’ (desire of masses) became strong.
He added: “Similarly, the same feeling must be apparent in cows, and when it becomes the desire of the masses, it will happen on its own. The system cannot find the solution on its own. If there is a red light and the masses do not follow it, it is useless, but once the masses agree to follow it and stop, the red light becomes effective.”
Read also | RSS does not practice Hindutva politics, believes in nation building: Mohan Bhagwat
‘Bhoomi Pujan’ rituals were held at the temple construction site in August 2020 in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, followed by ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony in January 2024.
The RSS chief called for a national ban, saying: “Those in power at present want to ban cow slaughter and I personally am aware of that, but before taking this brave step, they have to face many issues. They must discuss this issue and raise this issue among the masses.”
The RSS has been making efforts for ban since 1952, he said, adding that they have sent a letter signed by two million Indians to the President of India.
Read also | “The souls of those who died for the temple are now at peace”: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat
“The Sangh remains attached to the cause and is doing its best for a mass awareness movement to provide ‘mother’ status to the cow…”
To be sure, most states have imposed restrictions or bans on cow slaughter. The Allahabad High Court had recently suggested to the Center to declare the cow a ‘protected national animal’.
