Cow protection is sanctioned in Constitution, Muslims too sacrificed their lives for it: RSS chief

Mumbai: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat addressed his party workers on the occasion of Vijay Dashmi in Pune on Saturday.

In his speech, the RSS chief appealed the 'gau-rakshaks' to not break laws while performing their duties while urging people to take up cow protection without considering religions.

"Cow protection is sanctioned in the Constitution. Rearing of a cow is not a matter of religion. I know many Muslims involved in rearing and protection of cows. There are Muslims who have sacrificed their lives for it," Bhagwat said.

"It is reprehensible that some people have been killed allegedly by 'gau-rakshaks'. In fact, a violence of any form is reprehensible. At the same time, many people have been killed by cow smugglers. We must look at the issue of cow protection beyond religion," he said.

"Cows are used more for its urine and dung than milk in our country. For a small farmer to progress, rearing of the cow is a must. Protecting cow and cow-based agriculture is directed by the constitution. Rearing of the cow is not a matter of religion, he said at the event where Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and veteran BJP leader LK Advani were among those who were present. 

Bhagwat also asked the Narendra Modi-led central government to keep national security in mind while taking a decision on providing shelter to Rohingyas in the country while backing their stand on the issue. 

"We have been facing the problem of illegal Bangladeshi migrants and now Rohingyas have infiltrated into our country. If we give shelter to Rohingyas, they will not only put pressure on our jobs but also pose a threat to national security," Bhagwat said. 

"Any decision regarding Rohingyas should be taken by keeping in mind the threat to national security," he said referring to the people who have fled from violence-hit Rakhine state in Myanmar.

On the Kashmir issue, Bhagwat said the problems of the people, who were displaced from the Kashmir Valley in the 1990s, are yet to be addressed.

"Necessary constitutional amendments will have to be made and old provisions will have to be changed in that state," he said at the event.

"Only when the constitutional amendments are done, can the residents of Jammu and Kashmir be completely assimilated with the rest of India," Bhagwat said, apparently hinting at Article 370 which gives special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

In his speech, Bhagwat also accused the governments of West Bengal and Kerala of indulging in petty politics by lending a helping hand to the anti-national forces.