new delhi : India's prime Minister Narendra Modi hit out at spate of attacks by cow protection vigilant on Saturday,urging action against people who used religion as a cover for committing crime.
Critics say killings in the name of protecting cows, considered sacred by india’s Hindu majority, have increased since the nationalist primier won power in 2014.
Hundreds of people were detained in western India last month when protests against an attack on four low caste villageers who were taking a cow to be skinned turned violent.
Mr Modi said he would task state goverments with investigating any one linked to the attacks, amnd urged the public to take action against perpretrators.
He predicted “70-80%” of them will turn out to be people who are involved in anti social activities and masquerade as cow protectors to save themselves “
The The speech was the first comment on the vigilante attacks from the Hindu nationalist leader, who has been accused of failing to protect religious minorities.
Right-wing Hindu groups in India have long demanded a complete ban on the slaughter of all cattle,citing religious scripture. Of all cattle, citing religious scripture . cows are considered sacred by Hindus and killing them carries a severe punishment in most indian states .
But vigilante groups have increasingly been taking the matter into their own hands and critics say they have been emboldened under Mr Modi’s BIP
A police officer was killed in western Gujarat state last month when a protest against an attack on low caste villagers who were skinning a cow erupted into violent clashes.
At least five Muslim men were killed last year by Hindu mobs on suspicion of eating beef or smuggling cows.AFP