'Gau Rakshaks'

eating plastic bags

PM Modi hits out at self-proclaimed cow vigilantes

NEW DELHI: Breaking his silence over self-proclaimed, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday called for stern actions against them and asked states to prepare dossiers of those people who are running 'shops' in the name of cow protection."I feel very angry at this Gau Raksha( cow protection) business. Some people indulge in anti-social activities in night and turn 'Gau Rakshaks' during the day. They have opened "shops" in name of cow protection. All states should take stern action against these people," the PM said while addressing a townhall-style event at the Indira Gandhi Stadium Complex in New Delhi.The PM said that cows are not dying because of slaughter, but due to pollutants like plastic."Cows mostly die fromand these Gau rakshaks should urge people not to throw plastic on roads, this will be a big sewa," the PM said.His comments come at a time when his government and BJP are facing flak over incidents of violence against Dalits and Muslims by cow vigilantes in various states including Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.Recalling his own work in the service of cow, he said at one health camp organised by him for the animal, at least two buckets full of plastic were removed from the stomach of one of them.On the foreign policy front, the Prime Minister said "India first" is the central point of his government's diplomatic engagements."India first is the central point (of our foreign policy). It is about protecting India's strategic interest, it is to ensure that India marches forward in achieving economic prosperity by leaps and bounds and reaches the position which it is destined to reach," Modi said.The Prime Minister said time has changed and world has become interdependent, and no country can afford to live in a particular group."The time of grouping has come to an end. Every country is linked to some other country," he said, adding walking together in most cases has become the norm.Showering praise on the Indian diaspora, he said they can play an important role in strengthening India's ties with foreign countries and we should utilise their strength."The diaspora community has become very proactive, assertive and they can help in improving ties with many countries. India is making its place (in the world) with new energy and prestige," he said.Answering a query on India's external engagement, Modi said there was no need to use words like aggressive, progressive and proactive in talking about the country's foreign policy which the questioner had used.