Gujarat polls: Anti-cow slaughter law in debate

New Delhi/Ahmedabad, Sept 16: In the run-up to the Assembly elections in Gujarat, the ruling BJP has many hurdles and one of them is to retain grip over its Hindutva plank and no wonder the new anti-cow slaughter law is in debate. "The cow is vital for the financial health of many villagers as production of milk and sale of milk products generates employment. It is not simply a matter of faith," Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani has told a group of visiting journalists from Delhi. Even other leaders and citizens are debating the issue with a few lambasting the state government for bringing in yet another religious polarisation agenda in a state that has faced worst communal violence in 2002. "The BJP is politically in a vulnerable situation. Due to their gross failure in creating jobs and Patidars' stir, the BJP leaders are nervous and so we could be heading for yet another polarization game," says citizen Yusufbhai Shaikh in Ahmedabad. Yusufbhai is not alone. Several citizens at Vadodara also talk about the 'cow slaughter law' with the refrain being - the BJP only played the 'cow' politics in March 2017 keeping an eye on the elections. "The riot in 2002 had a salutary effect in bringing caste unity. Even Dalits and Adivasis voted for the BJP and possibly participated in riots also," says Mohammad Ainul, an IT professional at Vadadara. He further adds as the mood on the eve of 2017 polls was getting 'anti-Modi-Shah duo'; the BJP government played up the 'cow card' earlier this year. The Vijay Rupani government in March this year passed a new legislation in the state Assembly and has notified the tough law against cow slaughter making homicide and cow slaughter carry maximum punishment of life term in Gujarat. The state government had passed 'The Gujarat Animal Preservation (Amendment) Bill 2017' in March and this was approved by the Governor O P Kohli. In effect cow slaughter is now on equal footing with murder, say BJP leaders. "It was not politics, the new cow slaughter law came as a genuine concern for animal farming and to help villagers promote milk production," says BJP leader and Minister Pradeepsinh Jadeja. His views are endorsed by Chief Minister Mr Rupani, who further said, "Doubling of farmers' income as envisaged is possible only with good backing in animal farm". But ground zero feedback suggests, despite being a Hindutva laboratory with the two-decades old 'BJP hardliner' regime in power -- there used to be cow theft across the state -- and it would not be fair to blame for the same only on Adivasis (tribals) and Muslims. Local Congress leader Parthivraj Kathwadia says, "Till now, the BJP government has not said what steps can actually save cows. Over 1,000 cows were stolen from different parts. Hence, I have demanded that if they are sincere, the BJP government should declare cow as a national animal". Enacted as a new law and already notified, this also stipulates that any one convicted of cow slaughter will have to pay a fine ranging from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 5 lakh. The cow theft has been also made cognizable and non-bailable and is seen as an attempt by Vijay Rupani regime to enlist the support of pro-Hindutva organisations like the VHP and the Bajrang Dal. The BJP leaders say contrary to the Congress charges, the state government is working seriously to preserve cows and and help villagers. "We are establishing Nandi Grams in every taluka to improve the local breed like Gir and Kakrech," says Mr Rupani also clarifying that the idea is not to promote Jersey cows. UNI