Wasim Akram Tyagi talked to BJP State President Dr. Laxmikant Bajpai on the recent cow controversy, here’s what he had to say on the issue.
Q-The BJP that started with the issue of development is now stuck with the cow?
Answer- We are not using cow for politics, it is the other so called progressive leaders. We are accused that our allies are spoiling the environment but we have no connection with the actions of those groups or parties.
Q- But you have never clearly separated yourself from them?
Answer- You are trying to say that the entire fault lies with the BJP. I put it differently- the government here is losing control and that is why the chaos is developing, how can we be responsible for that?
Q- Eight out of eleven accused held for Dadri are connected with BJP, how can you not accept responsibility for that?
Answer- OK, so you want me to believe whatever the government would claim to be true? Let a fair enquiry go on. The court will decide who is gaily and who is not. I just want the law to take its own course. Nobody is above the law; neither any man nor any party.
Q-In Bihar too BJP started with the jungleraj but again the cow has become the main issue there?
Answer- Let me make one thing clear- beef does not mean cow alone. If there is any conflict or law and order issue it is government’s duty to control that. But the onus is always thrown upon us. How can you expect Mr. Modi to control state administration? It is a state issue it will stay state issue. Yes, if any state wants any assistance we are ready to provide that.
Q-Communal harmony is being disturbed in the name of the cow and your party people are involved?
Answer- Where can anybody hold us responsible for that? Our leader believes in Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas- the development with the participation of all, real growth will come from the teamwork of all.
Q-But the fact remains that the atmosphere is being spoiled in the name of the cow, what contribution could people expect from you in preventing that?
Answer- This issue will be taken care of within 24 hours when our government will be here. Cow slaughter is banned in the state but since the coming of this government there have been 3500 cases of animal theft but no animal has been recovered except for Azam Khan’s buffaloes.
Q-You may pass the buck to Azam khan or Azam khan may pass the buck to you but it is the nation that suffers ultimately.
Answer- I am not blaming Azam Khan. A cow entails religion and emotion, that is why there is a ban on cow slaughter but still the ban is not being enforced properly. Both the Hindus and the Muslims are involved in livestock theft and even in slaughtering. This has given birth to strange fears, doubts and apprehensions and the state government has done nothing to stop that.
Q-But what about your government at the center? What has it done in this regard?
Answer- The Center cannot intervene in every matter, it could dismiss the state government but the time has not come for that.
Q-Is cow not a matter of faith in the states where the cow meat is not banned?
Answer- I know some states do not have this restriction but it does not mean that they be made haven for cow slaughtering. Let me show you another aspect of it; the price of milk has risen from 18 rupees to 60 rupees during the last six years, the reason behind is mad slaughtering. The synthetic milk business too is flourishing because of this shortage. The people who are earning from this business are merely 13% while milk is required by the entire population. Is it wrong to worry about these people?
You are saying that beef does not mean merely cow’s meat but your MLA beat a MLA who threw a beef party in Jammu and Kashmir. How come the beef became merely cow’s meat there?
Answer- I don’t want to talk about that. One community feels offended at the mere mention of one animal. One should care about the sentiments of others.
