PM asks states to act against fake 'gau rakshaks'

Breaking his silence on cow vigilantism, Modi said fake gau rakshakhs want to create tension in society

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday asked states to probe the fake "gau rakshaks (cow protectors)" and take strong action against them, saying they were destroying the country.

Voicing concern over incidents of cow vigilantism, he again called for isolating and punishing the fake "gau rakshaks" as a handful of such people were destroying the social fabric and creating conflict in the society.

Speaking at a public meeting at Gajwel in Telangana's Medak district after inaugurating the state's drinking water programme "Mission Bhagiratha", he said India is a country full of diversities, different values and traditions and protecting its "unity and integrity is our prime responsibility".

"The fake gau rakshakhs have nothing to do with cows. They want to create tension in society," he said.

The PM said he salutes real "gau rakshaks" and "gau sevaks" and appealed to them to come forward to expose fake "gau rakshaks". "I appeal to you to come forward lest the good work being done by you is destroyed by a handful of people for their selfish interests," he added.

Breaking his silence on cow vigilantism, Modi had on Saturday said he felt "very angry" at such incidents and has asked state governments to prepare a dossier of people who are "running shops" in the name of cow protection.

"There are some people who are running shops in the name of cow protection. They indulge in anti-social activities in the night and wear the cloak of 'gau rakshaks' (cow protectors) by the day," a visibly riled Modi said at a Town Hall-style meeting in New Delhi.