Meerut: Shankaracharya Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati on Monday claimed that cow slaughter and export of beef have increased since BJP came to power at the Centre.
"Slaughtering of cows is on the increase since BJP came to power. The export of beef has also increased under the BJP government," Swaroopanand, who is on a two-day visit to the city, said.
The Shankaracharya of the Dwarka-Shardapeeth said a total ban should be enforced on cow slaughter and a law be soon enacted in this regard.
He also appealed to political parties not to politicize the Ram Mandir issue. "Ram Mandir in Ayodhya is a responsibility of saints and political parties should not politicize it," he said.
Asked about the issue relating to women organizations seeking entry into core areas of certain temples, he said, "Pune-based women's group Bhumata Brigade is fooling people...If they are so concerned about women empowerment, they should launch campaign against low female literacy rate."
