PM Modi's warning to cow vigilantes has no ground impact: JD (U)

After Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed anger over soaring incidents of cow vigilantism and urged state governments to keep "anti-social elements" under check, the Janata Dal-United (JD-U) on Wednesday questioned the sincerity of his remarks, saying little has changed despite his earlier warnings.

JD-U leader K.C. Tyagi told ANI that he does not see any substance in the Prime Minister's remarks.

"I don't think the Prime Minister's so-called warning to cow vigilantes has any meaning. The Prime Minister and the President have spoken on cow vigilantism earlier too, but it has had little impact on the ground. It is necessary for the Centre to take strict action against these people," he added.

Another party leader Rajeev Rajan, on the other hand said Prime Minister Modi urging the state governments to take strict action against cow vigilantes is a "welcome move".

Rebuking the incidents of cow vigilantism, Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier warned gau rakshaks of strict action, urging state governments to keep the "anti-social elements" under check.

Prime Minister Modi further urged all parties to extend their support to the Government in fighting corruption and the issue of communal violence in the name of cow protection.

He added that State Governments must ensure the maintenance of law and order and strict action must be taken against those who break the law.

"Prime Minister Modi has asked the State Governments to take strict action against the anti-social elements creating violence in the name of cow vigilantism and punish them strictly," Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said after the all-party meeting.

"People are trying to give it a political and communal colour, but it is not in favour of the country," he added.