Central law on cow slaughter is in consonance with Constitution: Rakesh Sinha

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat's demand for a nation-wide ban on cow slaughter is in consonance with the Constitution, said RSS ideologue Rakesh Sinha on Monday.

Talking to ANI, Sinha said, "Mohan Bhagwat's suggestion for a law to ban cow slaughter across India is in consonance with the Directive Principles of State Policy of the Indian Constitution. Moreover, it is both cultural and civilizational imperative."

Demanding that narrow politics should not come in the way of formulation of a central law against cow slaughter, Sinha said Bhagwat's statement also moralises the debate at a higher plank that is cultural, social, national, and civilizational.

Sinha said that RSS chief's condemnation of those who indulge in violence "is indicative that there is no moral, legal, or ideological space for people who use violence in the name of cow protection".

Bhagwat had condemned the violence in the name of cow protection, but strongly demanded a law to ban cow slaughter across India.

Violence in the name of cow protection has often pushed the Centre on the backfoot.

Recently, a Muslim, Pehlu Khan, was killed by cow vigilantes in Alwar, Rajasthan. The opposition parties have censured the Modi government and alleged that it has been overlooking violence in the name of protecting cows.

The 'violent' cow vigilantism shot into prominence with the death of Mohammad Akhlaq in Dadri, Uttar Pradesh, in September 2015. Akhlaq was lynched to death by a mob, which suspected he had slaughtered a cow.