Equally committed to protecting human life, cows: Adityanath

Days after a man was allegedly lynched in Rajasthan by cow vigilantes, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said his government was "equally committed" to protecting human life and to the cow.

We will provide protection to everyone. People are important, the cow is also important, he said.

With laws already in place to protect cows and the government being responsive to this issue, violence in the name of cow protection would not be tolerated," he told news channels.

But he has also made clear in his remarks over the last two days that the government was committed to ensuring protection to cattle from smuggling and slaughter.

Referring to the incidents of mob lynching, the chief minister said, "No such case has been reported from UP so far but wherever these are happening, they have to be stopped.

However, cow smuggling and slaughter also should be stopped," he said
"Under no circumstances can we allow cow slaughter and smuggling. Everyone's faith must be respected."