However RSS leader Suresh Bhaiyaji Joshi recently said it was the duty of the government to take care of cows

Other Gau Rakshaks are often mobs of right-wing nationalist

Home Minister Rajnath Singh has once again stressed the importance of cow protection to Indian culture.

Alluding to the significance of cows during Mughal rule, and drawing on scientific studies, Singh urged states to implement stricter adherence to the rules against cow slaughter.

Sharing the stage with gau rakshaks at a function held in memory of those killed during a demonstration on the issue here 50 years ago, Rajnath said, “According to a study by scientists in USA, cows and humans share 80 percent of same genes.

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Home Minister Rajnath Singh has stressed the importance of cow protection, claiming that, according to a study by scientists in USA, cows and humans share 80 percent of same genes

"So there is not much difference between us.”

“As far as cow is concerned, it is not just a cultural issue, it is an issue of faith. But besides being an issue of faith, it is also an issue which should be viewed from economic, historical and scientific perspective,” he said.

Singh said the NDA government was working towards enforcing complete ban on smuggling of cattle to Bangladesh and taken a number of steps in this regard, but achieved only “partial success” keeping in view the long borders.

He said that apart from the steps taken by the Centre, there needs to be introspection in this matter even from the point of view of climate change, which is a challenge for the country.

Cattle in Hindu India are considered to be holy and when they die local people adorn the corpse in coloured paint and peace offerings

“We have taken a number of measures and will try to put a complete ban on smuggling of cows, but I feel this will take some time,” Singh said, adding Article 48 of the Constitution mentions that governments will work to stop cow slaughter.

“We should understand that India is a federal country and there is need to take the states into confidence.

"He also said that there is a historical importance attached to the issue.

“Cow slaughter and beef was banned since the vedic times. Even during the Mughal rule, it was banned during the times of Bahadurshah Zafar, Akbar and Jehangir.

"It has even been written in the ‘Babarnama’ that one cannot rule over Hindustan unless you stop cow slaughter,” said Singh.

Rajnath told the crowd, 'According to a study by scientists in USA, cows and humans share 80 percent of same genes'

Swami Gyanand Maharaj, who shared the stage, promised the gathering that the government was actively looking at making an amendment to such an MHA advisory against cow vigilantes.

However, sources indicate that the sentiment expressed at the dais is not one shared by the Central Government.

This is, however, the first time any cabinet minister was seen sharing such a dais with cow protection groups after Prime Minister Narendra Modi publicly condemned actions by anti-social elements masquerading as gau rakshaks.

Singh said that cow slaughter and beef has been banned since the vedic times. Even during the Mughal rule, it was banned during the times of Bahadurshah Zafar, Akbar and Jehangir.

Modi had in August this year asked the State governments to prepare a dossier on such “cow protectors”, while asserting that about 80 per cent of them would be found to be involved in illegal activities.

The crowds in stadium were men gathered from across the country.

They also included BJP members, Vishwa Hindu Parishad and even RSS men. Senior RSS leader Suresh Bhaiyaji Joshi said it “duty of the government” to take care of cows.

Another Sangh leader said “that this government has taken steps like the surgical strike was capable of bringing in law to ban cow slaughter."