VHP demands ‘rashtra mata’ status for cows

Prayagraj: The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Thursday organised its ‘Gau Raksha Sammelan' at its camp in the Kumbh Mela area and demanded the declaration of the cow as ‘Rashtra mata and rashtra dharohar'. The volunteers also demanded to develop a sanctuary for cows upbringing and protection.
Akhil Bharatiya Gau Raksha chief Dinesh Upadhyay said, "The Gau Raksha wing of the organisation is creating awareness on gau palan, gau rakshan and gau samvardhan among the masses."
He said, "There were three subjects during the freedom movement that included cows, villages and the poor. It's now our prime demand that the cow should get the status of the rashtra mata."
"If the cow is saved, the world will be saved," said Upadhyay, adding, "At a time when millions of devotees are attending Maha Kumbh, we also want to spread the message that those who leave the cow to an accident never get salvation." The importance of gau mata is described in the scriptures, and cows are the basis of our physical, economic and mental development.
Only Hindus call cows their mother and have the feeling of world welfare. Tirupita Swami Ji, presiding over the conference, said work for cow protection and conservation is being carried out across the nation, particularly in villages. He said, "I personally saw 98% of the cows are indigenous, which has more than 300 breeds." There is a need to protect and conserve cows and make society aware of the benefits of cows through many programmes. He asked volunteers to understand their responsibility and take up plans to protect cows.
Lal Mani Tiwari, regional secretary of VHP (gau raksha wing, Kashi prant) said there is need to develop specific land for cows (Gochar bhoomi) and open gaushalas in all jails. Over 4,000 volunteers and office bearers from across the country attended the conference.