New Delhi: Differences seemed to have surfaced between the RSS and its affiliate, the VHP over Prime Minister, Mr Narendra Modi’s remark against the self- proclaimed cow vigilantes, who have unleashed a series of attacks on Dalits.
The RSS condemned the attacks on Dalits and termed as inhuman the violence and asked state governments to take action against elements trying to “disturb communal harmony and trust”.
While the RSS backed Prime Minister’s decision to take action against the self proclaimed ‘gau rakshakh’ groups, reports from Ahmedabad stated that Sangh Parivar affiliate, the VHP in an unsigned statement, called Modi’s “anti-socials by night and gau rakshaks by day” remark shocking and an insult to cow protectors. It had also warned that the BJP will pay for it in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
“Thousands of butchers killing one lakh cows every year are not termed ‘goondas’ and gau rakshaks like Gita Rambhiya (who was killed in Ahmedabad years ago) are termed ‘goondas’. This shows your change of heart,” stated the statement by VHP's Gujarat unit, demanding a nationwide law to ban cow slaughter. In Agra, the right wing outfit’s Braj region’s vice-president Sunil Parashar said the PM’s remarks have “hurt" gau rakshaks and that “he will have to pay for it in the next Lok Sabha polls.”
Claiming that the VHP was the only organisation that worked for cow protection, Mr Parashar said the government must conduct a survey to identify who have beef running shops in the name of gau raksha. He also told the PM to stop being friendly with Pakistan as this would “cost him the Centre’s chair.”
The VHP vowed to continue its work related to cow protection, saying they have been doing it for a long time and will continue the work.
Meanwhile, the Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Maha-sabha’s Aligarh wing staged a protest against the PM.
In a statement, RSS general secretary Bhaiyya Joshi, said “We appeal to all the sections of the society to remain aware of elements who want to disturb the environment of communal harmony and trust. We expect the administration to take speedy action against such individuals and groups who break the law.”
