With the state assembly elections just around the corner, Digvijay Singh has been facing rough weatherfrom the BJP over the cow issue. He maintains that the BJP wants to come across as the real protector of thecow, making the Congress into an enemy of the cow whereas, he insists, the Congress raised the issue of cowprotection even before independence.
Excerpts from a conversation with Outlook Saptahik’s Rajesh Sirothia
How do you see the furore over the recent cow slaughter issue in the state?
The issue has been raised over an alleged incident of cow slaughter in Ganjbasauda. The police acted assoon as the incident was reported, but the BJP and VHP workers went on a rampage burning down shops of 150innocent people.
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The production of beef has gone up during BJP’s reign. There has been a ban on cow slaughter in MadhyaPradesh since 1959. And we have set up the Gau-Seva Ayog (Cow Protection Organisation) in the state.
What are your views on a complete ban on cow slaughter?
The Congress banned cow slaughter in Madhya Pradesh way back in 1959. In fact, 18 states banned cowslaughter under Congress rule. If the BJP is acting so concerned, why doesn’t it ban cow slaughter in Goa,where it has its government?
What about the posters portraying Prime Minister Vajpayee to be a beef eater?
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No, this is not correct. I have not seen any such poster or pamphlet. Firstly, no one from the congresswould do such a thing. But even if someone has done it, it’s not right.
(Originally published in Hindi in Outlook Saptahik, issue dated March 10, 2003)
