Protest against Bata's use of cow hide in Punjab

Peeved at the claim of shoe-manufacturing company Bata regarding the use of cow hide products, members of religious organisations held a protest rally in Ludhiana yesterday, demanding the registration of a case against the company. The protesters also wanted removal of the said product from the market.

SP City-I Sukhchain Singh confirmed having received a representation in this regard and said the matter will be thoroughly investigated.

Division number 5 police station SHO Gursewak Singh told Business Standard that a sample had been taken from a showroom for forensic tests to ascertain which leather was the shoe made of and that would be returned once the test was over.

Mahavir Mandir Trust and activists of Hindu Suraksha Samiti held the protest demonstrations at Dandi Swami Chowk and Mall Road respectively.Swami Chandrasekhar Giri from Haibowal led the protesters at the Dandi Swami Chowk.

Speaking to Business Standard, President of the Trust Pawan Sharma said, "Bata Company has introduced footwear made of cowhide. The product must be withdrawn. Also, a case should be registered against the company for hurting the feelings of Hindus all over India," he stressed.

Sharma said that the organisation will meet Ludhiana DC Sumer Singh Gurjar and SSP R K Jaiswal for taking action against the company by registering a case. The protesters raised slogans against the shoe manufacturing company, and demanded that product be immediately withdrawn from the market.

The activists of Hindu Suraksha Samiti held a protest demonstration at Mall Road in front of company's showroom and also submitted a memorandum to SP City-I, seeking registration of a case against the company for `outraging' the religious sentiments.

The company has printed on the label of product that it was made of cow leather, claimed State President Rajiv Tandon in the memorandum.