A campaign started by Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) across the country is now choking the government itself. After the recent Dalit stir in Gujarat against self styled ‘Cow vigilantes’, now Punjab farmers have lashed out at the cow protection groups for hampering their cowbreeding business.
The Punjab Progressive Dairy Farmers’ Association has blamed SAD-BJP government for sudden rise of cow vigilante groups in the state.
Punjab dairy farmers have allegedly accused the government of harassing cow traders in the grab of protecting cows. These days farmers have to seek a no objection certificate (NOC) before sending cows to other States which has adversely affected their business.
In a report published in The Hindu, president of the association Daljit Singh said, “Our trade has received a big setback because of vigilante cow protection groups which are unnecessarily harassing Punjab cow traders in the garb of protecting cows.”
The flourishing business of cross breeding is now on a decline because of state policies. The members of the association said that earlier they used to earn approximately Rs 1.25 to 1.50 lakh for a crossbred but now the prices have declined up to 50,000. Reportedly, buyers are afraid to enter Punjab as they adverse consequences.
“Our Rs 2,500-crore industry has almost finished and cow breeding business has come to a standstill,” said Mr. Singh.
