Miscreants posing as 'gau rakshaks' attempting to divide nation: PM Modi

Invoking Mahatma Gandhi and Acharya Vinoba Bhave, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said the sacred practice of cow worship and the compassion of gau seva can't be misused by some miscreants posing as 'gau rakshaks', adding such elements are attempting to divide the society for their ulterior motives.

Expressing grave concern over the recent incidents, Prime Minister Modi said that such "anti-social" elements were running "shops" in the name of cow protection, adding stringent action must be initiated against them.

"The people, who are troubled by the unity of the society, are in the name of 'gau rakshaks' attempting to create friction the society. I urge my fellow countrymen to be aware of such 'gau rakshaks'," he said.

"These fake 'gau rakshaks' are attempting to create friction the society. I would even urge the state governments to initiate strong against such fake 'gau rakshaks'. I will also urge the true cow devotes to be aware so that some elements do not misuse them for their ulterior motives. Please come forward and expose such elements before the society.The country's unity is our utmost priority," he added.

Prime Minister addressing the Town Hall meeting organised at Indira Gandhi Stadium Complex in capital New Delhi to mark the second anniversary of MyGov(dot) yesterday broke his silence, talking strong exception to atrocities on Dalits in Gujarat's Una in the name of cow protection.

He said, "I am very much angry on those who have opened their occupation in the name of 'Gau Raksha' (cow protection). There are many 'Gau Rakshaks' (cow protectors). They protect cows to hide their illegal occupations. Cows mostly die of eating plastic bags and these gau rakshaks should urge people not to throw plastics on the roads.