Fodder for controversy: Politicians who have raked up the cow slaughter issue

The year 2015 has seen Indian politics being dominated by statements on the highly emotive issue of cow slaughter and beef consumption. Controversial statements have been issued by various leaders, especially those belonging to or associated with the National Democratic Alliance.

But now, Harish Rawat, Uttarakhand's Chief Minister and a leader of the Congress party, has hopped on the bandwagon,  according to media reports. 

Here are some remarks by Indian politicians on cow slaughter in recent times:

1) Harish Rawat

While addressing a function on the occasion of Gopashtami on Thursday, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat said: "Anyone who kills cows, no matter which community he belongs to, is India's biggest enemy and has no right to live in the country."

2) Manohar Lal Khattar

In an interview with The Indian Express, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on October 16, 2015, said: “Muslim rahein, magar is desh mein beef khaana chhodna hi hoga unko. Yahan ki manyata hai gau. (Muslims can continue to live in this country, but they will have to give up eating beef. The cow is an article of faith here)."

3) Sangeet Som

According to a report by Mail Today, the Bharatiya Janata Party member of the Uttar Pradesh legislative Assembly said: "A strong law should be enacted against cow slaughter. Killers should be booked under section 302 of the IPC."

4) Sakshi Maharaj

On October 6, the BJP MP said: "We won't remain silent if somebody tries to kill our mother. We are ready to kill and get killed."

5) Sadhvi Prachi

Citing the lynching of a Muslim man in Uttar Pradesh's Dadri over allegedly storing beef at home, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader said "those who consume beef deserve such actions against them".

6) Digvijaya Singh

On October 6, the senior Congress leader said: "I am surprised the BJP does not know that out of the 29 states, cow slaughter is banned in 24 states. And, in most of these states, the prohibition was imposed by Congress governments. The Congress Working Committee had passed a resolution in the 1930s seeking a ban on cow slaughter."