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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Kancha Gachibowli: Police impose entry restrictions on 400-acre parcel land near varsity
Hyderabad (PTI): The Cyberabad Police has imposed restrictions on the entry of people into a 400-acre land parcel in Kancha Gachibowli, adjacent to the University of Hyderabad (UoH), citing the prevailing law and order situation and the need to maintain public tranquility.
The Telangana government’s plan to auction this ecologically sensitive land for the construction of urban infrastructure and an IT Park has triggered protests by the UoH Students’ Union.
The matter is currently being heard in both the Telangana High Court and the Supreme Court.
In view of the Supreme Court's orders, the directions of the Central Empowered Committee, and the prevailing law and order situation, DCP (Madhapur Zone) Vineeth G issued an order prohibiting people who do not ordinarily have work in the area from entering it for any purpose other than their bona fide duties.
The order aims to prevent danger to human life and safety, maintain public tranquility, and avert the possibility of riots, affray, or obstruction to any person lawfully discharging their duties.
The order was issued under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which restricts unauthorised gatherings.
According to a notification, the order will remain in force from 6 am on Friday until April 16, covering the 400-acre area that is currently the subject of litigation in both the High Court and the Supreme Court.
Meanwhile, the UoHSU held a rally on campus late Friday evening, demanding the removal of police camps from the premises and the fulfillment of their other demands, including the revocation of FIRs against students, civil society groups, and other activists.
They also demanded that the UoH administration file a petition in the High Court asserting ownership of the land.
On Thursday, the Telangana High Court posted the case for hearing on April 7.
The Supreme Court, also on Thursday, asked the Telangana government to explain the "compelling urgency" behind clearing a large tree cover on the land parcel next to the university and stayed any further activity until further orders.
The court inquired about the status of the felled trees and directed the Central Empowered Committee to visit the site and submit a report before April 16, when the matter will be heard again.
Following the Apex Court’s directive, the Telangana government has decided to form a committee of ministers to hold discussions with the UoH executive committee, civil society groups, students, and other stakeholders to address concerns over the land parcel adjacent to the university.
Responding to the Supreme Court's order to stay any further activity until further notice, Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and Industries Minister D Sridhar Babu said in a joint statement on Thursday that the government would abide by the apex court's directives.
They said the government would submit the information sought by the Supreme Court within the stipulated timeframe.
The state government has full confidence in the Supreme Court, and justice will prevail, they added. The government has also directed police officials not to act harshly towards the students.
Earlier police said that when the Telangana Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TGIIC) began development work at the site on March 30, as per a government order, a group comprising UoH students and others gathered there and attempted to forcibly halt the work. They allegedly attacked officials and workers with sticks and stones.
Following the incident, 53 individuals were taken into preventive custody and later released on personal bonds.
Based on a complaint from the TGIIC, a case was registered at the Gachibowli Police Station for various offences, including unlawful assembly, rioting, and assault on public servants, under relevant sections of the BNS, police said.
Police also said that two individuals were arrested and clarified that they are no longer students of the university.
The Telangana government had earlier stated that the 400-acre land in Kancha Gachibowli belongs to the state.
