Cow protection important to save world from moral degradation: Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani

Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani, in a series of tweets, extolled the virtues of cows and cow protection after the assembly made cow slaughter punishable with life imprisonment.

Cow protection is the most important principle for saving the world from moral degradation, Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani said hours after his state made the slaughter of the animal punishable with life imprisonment.

Cow protection is the most important principle for saving the world from moral degradation, Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani said. (PTI)

In a series of tweets, the chief minister said his government understood the importance and values of the cow – considered holy by many Hindus – and hence had amended a law to legislate stricter punishments.

“Protection of cows is the single-most important principle towards saving the whole world from both moral and spiritual degradation,” the BJP leader said.

The amendments to the existing law – that give Gujarat the harshest law in the country to protect cattle -- include a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh and permanent confiscation of the vehicle used for transportation. The offence is also likely to be made cognizable and non-bailable.

The issue has been central theme of Rupani’s public speeches amid speculation that the party will push for an early state election.

Buoyed by the BJP’s landslide victory in Uttar Pradesh, the party believes that enacting a stricter cow protection law will help consolidate votes in the elections to be held in the backdrop of Patidar agitations for reservation in jobs and education, and protests by Dalits.