The Republican Party of India plans to launch State-wide agitation from May 19.

The decision to extend ban on cow slaughter to bulls and bullocks in Maharashtra by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is getting stern opposition from its allies. The Republican Party of India (RPI) led by Rajya Sabha MP Ramdas Athawale on Saturday announced a state wide agitation against the government’s decision, claiming the new ban will harm the interests of thousands of people.

“We know that we are in alliance with the BJP, but the recent decision will not do any good to the thousands of people across the state. We have decided to launch state-wide agitation from May 19,” said Mr. Athawale in Mumbai.

He added that his party does not oppose the old law of 1976 which bans the slaughter of cows, since it is considered sacred in Hindu religion. “But the extension of it to bulls and bullocks will put livelihoods of cobblers in jeopardy. Even the farmers will have to bear the financial loss. The Qureishi community too is likely to get affected,” he said.

Mr. Athawale has asked the government to reconsider the decision and said that the agitation will intensify if the decision is not retreated.