Cattle rearing faces threat by ‘Gau Raksha’ measures
Rajasthan government increased stamp duty on cattle safety in the recent times. Now, the same govt is hiking taxes on alcohol, again, towards cattle protection, or Gau Rakshan in other words. We are sure people may have no objections to extra taxes being levied on alcohol and even if there is, one may not even express/demonstrate it. But, so far the state hasn’t elaborated on how it would use the money thus collected for cattle protection. In the days to come, cattle protection as a reason may see more taxes being levied on many services/products across many states in North India.
At the same time, the government needs inform the public about how it would use the cattle protection money collected under various headers. Collecting funds in the name of cattle is happening in the country for the first time ever in the history of the country. Does that mean the cattle weren’t safe so far? Did any expert submit any report regarding diminishing number of cattle or declared cattle as endangered species? The farmers who rear these cattle never took to streets seeking protection for cattle. Why would the govt take up this task? Cattle are not wild animals that live on the fringes of the forest. What is government’s ‘self-goal’ in working on this purpose? Cattle are not animals that can safeguard themselves in wilderness. Their lives are intertwined with those of farmers or those who rear them. In fact history reveals that India is always known for cattle rearing than cattle protection. Gau Rakshaks are not the reason for the safety of the cattle breed. The farmers have been breeding cattle as part of their livelihood. Cattle rearing has more economic reasons to be carried out, than the religious ones. Farmers would naturally care for cattle till dairy farming remains a profitable business. When it goes downhill, the farmers cannot afford to keep the animals for the love of it. At this juncture the government will have to step in for the rescue operations and save the cows. Keeping dairy farming profitable is the lone option to ensure cattle safety. At one stage, the very cows have turned into a challenge for the farmers. But for BJP govt, cows are a matter of emotional importance. The farmers who are rearing cows have become victims of govt policies around cow rearing.
Cattle are the property of farmers who reserve the right to sell them or when to dispose them off because he has invested his precious and rare financial resources on them. Other aspects of dairy farming are profitable too. While milk and its by products can yield good profit, the cow dung makes for excellent fertilizer. This does not mean all cows need to provide milk to justify their lifetime. While there are cows, there are Oxen too. These days, nobody uses the ox to till or plough the field. And when cattle stop being productive, they sell them to traders since rearing them after that point becomes a liability for the owner. With the money they get from selling the cows, they provide food for more cattle in their sheds. Hence farmers sell the cows that stop being useful, just so that they can provide for other cows. Poor people sell cows to make for their expenses whenever they need resources or to meet any sudden need for funds. This also has another strategy. Beef is packed with rare proteins that other meats lack. It is also the most economic meat that easily available. Long ago, even the poor would serve beef at their family functions. The logic of consuming beef would contributed to cattle turning into rare animals, itself lacks a solid argument. Because farmers do not rear cows for meat, but meat is procured only when the cows are slaughtered at the butcher’s for the very purpose. These are the cows that have been given up on, by their owners. The govt is planning on opening Cow Rescue centres or Gaushalas. This would rob the farmers of one source of income, if the cattle are forcefully taken away. Goshalas are a massive scam waiting to happen too. All the money collected in the name of cattle preservation would reach the deep pockets of pretentiously spiritual gurus and make the, richer. Not only this, youths forming gangs in the name of Gau Rakshaks has also crossed all limits of tolerance. Gau Rakshaks are nothing but goondas in groups, sanctioned by the government. The cattle traders have been attacked and assaulted sometimes even killed as well. If this continues, not many traders would buy cattle. And as far as the sellers are concerned, there are gory days ahead with surplus demand and no supply. This would turn the whole village economic ecosystem upside down increasing joblessness. In the days to come, it is highly possible that cow rearers or traders will turn away from this issue altogether. Till such time, it’s a free run for the others.
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BJP is targeting one community, misusing its majority: Min. Eshwar Khandre on Waqf Amendment Bill
Bengaluru: Reacting strongly to the passage of the contentious Waqf Amendment Bill, Karnataka Minister Eshwar Khandre accused the BJP-led central government of targeting a specific community and misusing its parliamentary majority.
"The BJP-led central government is targeting a particular community and misusing its majority. We always talk about unity in diversity and it is our responsibility to take everyone along," news agency ANI quoted Khandre as saying.
Khandre further criticised the saffron party for its governance, alleging that the government had failed to address pressing issues such as unemployment and farmers' concerns. He accused the ruling party of shifting focus away from critical issues, stating that they have failed to take action and, under the guise of nationalism, are provoking the public.
The minister also pointed out that significant global concerns, such as the United States imposing reciprocal tariffs on India, were not being discussed in Parliament. “There should have been a discussion on the U.S. imposing 26 percent 'reciprocal tariffs' on India. But they don't allow any discussion on it,” he remarked.
Khandre concluded by stating that the Congress party would come to power and focus on the nation's development, in contrast to what he described as the BJP’s diversionary tactics.
The Waqf Amendment Bill, which has sparked massive controversy, was passed in the Lok Sabha on Thursday by a vote of 288-232, after nearly 12 hours of debate. The Bill was subsequently approved by the Rajya Sabha with 128 members voting in favour and 95 opposing it.
