Tags:
Journalism of Courage
MUMBAI, March 24: Samajwadi PARTY members in the Legislative Assembly today demanded action against Bajrang Dal activists, who, they claimed, set up posts in parts of the metropolis, particularly on the national highway, to prevent the entry of cows destined for the city’s abattoirs.
Sohail Lokhandwala, Bashir Patel and Faiyaz Ahmad alleged that the activists also managed to extort money from vehicle drivers in the process.
Bharatiya Janata Party member Girish Bapat was quick to deny the allegation but a noisy verbal skirmish was already under way.
The House settled down only after Deputy Chief Minister Gopinath Munde assured the members that action would be taken against “those who took the law into their hands”, irrespective of party affiliations.
Even as the issue was being debated in the House, more than a dozen Bajrang Dal workers collected outside the building, protesting against the government’s decision prohibiting moves to check the entry of cows in the city. The activists, including cityBajrang Dal convenor Shankar Gaikar, were later detained by the Cuffe Parade police.
Every year, at Mumbai’s check posts — Mulund, Vashi and Dahisar — Bajrang Dal members halt vehicles to check if their cargo consists of cattle meant for slaughter during Bakri-Id.
The inspections’ began this year too, but were finally thwarted on Tuesday.Bakri-Id this year — on March 29 — coincides with Mahavir Jayanti which has been declared ahimsa diwas, and the Bajrang Dal had resolved not to allow’ cow slaughter that day.
In a statement, Gaikar described the alliance government as “impotent” for its “anti-Hindu policies.”
“It is really unfortunate that the alliance government is playing with the sentiments of the Hindus,” the statement said.
