Ending cow slaughter requires public awareness like Ram temple: Mohan Bhagwat
Mathura: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat Public awareness could help end cow slaughter in India, he said on Tuesday, hoping to generate Ram temple-style enthusiasm for the purpose.“Make society committed to cows and cow slaughter will stop immediately. We have to make the public aware; the rest will follow,” Bhagwat said.He acknowledged the limitations of raising cattle in the city and advised people to support ‘gaushalas’ (cattle sheds).The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) president was speaking on the 452nd birth anniversary of Malook Das ji Maharaj at Malook Peeth in Vrindavan.“If the public sentiment (jan bhavna) is there, the system has to accept it,” he said.Bhagwat referred to the landmark Supreme Court judgment that paved the way for the construction of the Ram Janmabhoomi temple in Ayodhya.“The Ram temple did not come up between 2014 and 2019. It came up after 2019. Why? The Supreme Court used to say that it had other very important things but gave a unanimous verdict,” he said.Bhagwat said the Supreme Court took the verdict out of “feelings” across the country. “Similarly, cows should feel the same way. You are working hard and we are working hard too.” The decades-long battle over the Rama temple in Ayodhya came to an end in 2019 with the Supreme Court verdict.In August 2020, the ‘bhoomi pujan’ ceremony was held at the temple construction site in the presence of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, followed by the ‘pran pratishtha’ ceremony in January 2024.According to a statement issued by the event organizers after the event, Bhagwat said he had no doubt that India would become a world leader.“India will provide a new direction to the world by drawing inspiration from its saints and its spiritual values,” Bhagwat said.Referring to the riots in West Asia, the RSS chief said it is “time for India to become ‘Vishwa Guru’ and create a new, happy and beautiful world.” Bhagwat emphasized the need for enlightenment in everyone and urged people to not only follow the words of saints but also the emotions behind the words of saints.He said that Maluk Peeth has been keeping the tradition of Saint Maluk Das alive for 452 years. Everyone should draw life philosophy from this example.“No religion can be without truth and compassion. Everyone should live in harmony. Compassion enters a person’s life when the pain of others feels like one’s own,” he said.Responding to Mahant Rajendra Das Maharaj’s demand for a complete ban on cow slaughter, Bhagwat said that by converting society into cow devotees, cow slaughter will stop on its own.“Empowerment… will be a brave step. Cow products will reach everyone’s hands. The Sangh will work in this direction,” he added.
