Swami Avimukteshwaranand laments neglect of cows

Metro India News | varanasi

Addressing journalists on Friday at the Srividya Math, Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, the Shankaracharya of Jyotish Peeth, expressed strong dissatisfaction over what he described as inadequate efforts to protect cows in India. He stated that if the level of effort made in India to safeguard cow lives had been matched in Pakistan, cows there too would have been protected and possibly declared a “national mother.” 

He criticized the current Indian government, saying that despite identifying itself with Hindu values, it has failed to take meaningful action on the issue. He questioned what obstacles prevent the government from declaring cows as “Rashtra Mata” (National Mother) or “Rajya Mata” (State Mother), and whether the country’s sustenance now depends on the beef trade. The Shankaracharya further argued that the government should have proactively enacted laws to ensure the protection and dignity of cows. 

Highlighting democratic principles, he said that when decisions are typically made based on majority opinion, it is unclear why repeated appeals from the majority of the population for cow protection are being ignored. He added that even after 78 years of independence, the voices of many Hindus remain unheard, accusing successive governments of betraying voters. 

Calling for action, he urged followers of Sanatan Dharma to initiate a new phase of “Sanatani politics” aimed at protecting cows and preserving traditional values. As previously announced, the Shankaracharya is set to depart from Kashi today for the “Gavishti Yatra.” The campaign will formally begin on May 3 from Gorakhpur and is planned to pass through all 403 assembly constituencies in the state. During the yatra, he will engage with the public to encourage active participation in cow protection efforts.