In India where religion defines an individual’s identity, cow over the past few years has definitely become a religious as well as a political symbol in Indian democracy. And the political party which is more associated with making the cow a “political symbol” is the ruling Bhartiya Janata Party.
However, in Varanasi which is the spiritual capital of India along with PM Narendra Modi’s constituency..seems like this symbol has lost its importance. The Union and State government of Uttar Pradesh want to turn Varanasi into a “Smart City” but the biggest obstacle in front of them is none other than the Cows.
The new smart city model of Varanasi does not accommodate the cows who are considered Holy. The citizens of Varanasi have alleged that in the name of the smart city, the administration is neglecting one of their sources of income. People are also complaining that the center is playing with their beliefs.
Under the smart city project, stating the Allahabad high court order, the UP government is shifting cows, buffalos and other animals out of the city limits. Angry by this decision the locals are alleging that the gov is snatching their source of employment. The locals further added that the decision has made them stay with their cattle in the forest and are forced to travel daily 20 to 25 km to reach the city.
A delegation of the opposition party in the state has written a letter to the district magistrate demanding the cows should not be shifted to the cattle colony. Many people have also alleged that the Yogi Adityanth government is targeting a specific community. People from all section are indulged in animal husbandry but the state government is targetting only the Yadav community.
Under the smart city project in order to tackle the problem of overflow sewage, the district administration has decided to shift the animals to cattle colony located outside the city limits. And this entire procedure has taken place after the high court’s order. The locals have alleged that their animals are dying in the cattle colony and due to this process there is an immense rise in the price of milk. However, the administration has a different view to this.. they said that the entire procedure is been initiated after the High court’s order.
So, why are these cattle being shifted? The Allahabad high court has ordered to shift them in the outskirts and reason given behind this is that the locals are getting injured due to the attacks by these homeless animals. Another issue is the problem of sewage. The dairy owners are said to be throwing cow dungs in the sewage lines which led to the overflow of sewage water. The high court had criticised the Yogi government over this issue.
We all know, that the entire politics of the BJP is not only based on development promises but also on the religious emotions of the people especially the majority Hindus. That is why in BJP-ruled states it introduced laws banning the sale of beef. The smart city is BJP’s development idea but cows play a major role as they tap on the emotional and religious side of the people .. SO will this entire issue affects the image of BJP in the upcoming assembly elections??
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