Cow protection body refutes UP govt’s claims

Metro India News | VARANASI

A cow protection body established by Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati has strongly criticized the Uttar Pradesh government's recent newspaper advertisements highlighting its efforts in cow protection, welfare, and conservation, calling them "misleading," "factually incorrect," and "deceptive." The organization, known as the Gau-Sansad (Cow Parliament), alleged that the advertisements present an inaccurate picture of the situation on the ground and are aimed at creating a false impression among the public, particularly urban residents.

The Gau -Sansad also challenged the government's claim of operating more than 7,500 cattle shelters, describing it as false. It alleged that many shelters are overcrowded and that indigenous cattle are being housed alongside Jersey bulls, creating the risk of cross-breeding. The statement further claimed that many cattle continue to suffer from inadequate food and water. It argued that if government initiatives and public participation had been as successful as claimed, stray cattle would not continue to roam roads and agricultural fields or be involved in accidents.

The statement further challenged Uttar Pradesh's claim of being India's leading milk-producing state, asking the government to clarify what proportion of total milk production comes from indigenous cows as compared with buffaloes and Jersey cattle. The organization also argued that treating cows merely as animals while claiming to protect them amounts to disrespecting their religious and cultural significance. The Sansad urged the state government to consult Hindu religious leaders, remove cows from the legal category of "animals," grant them the status of "Rashtra Mata" (Mother of the Nation), and refrain from publishing what it called misleading advertisements.

The statement also highlighted the recently concluded 81-day Gavishti Yatra led by Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati. According to the organization, the tour covered all 403 Assembly constituencies of Uttar Pradesh, spanning more than 14,000 kilometers. During the journey, the Shankaracharya is said to have addressed around 1,500 public meetings and interacted directly with approximately 1.8 million people.