PM: We consider cow as mother, it’s sacred to us

Turns heat on oppn in poll-bound UP; 27 projects inaugurated

Varanasi: Taking a swipe at Opposition parties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said talking about cow has been made a matter of “crime” by some people but “it is mother and sacred for us”.

The PM was addressing a rally here after inaugurating and laying foundation stones of 27 projects, including a dairy project, just months ahead of the Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh.

He said those making jokes on cows and buffaloes forget that the livelihood of eight-crore families depends on “pashudhan” (livestock).

“Talking about cow, talking about ‘gobardhan’ (cow dung) has been made a matter of ‘gunah’ (crime) by some people. Cow can be a crime for some people, for us it is mother, sacred (gaaye kuch logo ke liye gunah ho sakti hai, hamare liye gaaye, mata hai, poojniye hai),” Modi said.

In an apparent attack on the Samajwadi Party, Modi said their dictionary contains “mafiavad” and “parivarvad”. “For us, the priority is ‘sabka saath, sabka vikas,” the PM said.

“It gives pain to some when I talk of double engine, double power and double development as they, who see politics from the spectacle of caste, sect and religion, never wanted the development of UP,” the PM alleged. Modi also alleged that those thinking of selfish gains are not liking the development of the state.

“They have an objection to the development of Purvanchal and works for Baba Vishwanath Dham. I have been told that last Sunday, 1.50 lakh pilgrims reached for darshan of Baba Vishwanath Dham,” he said.

Those who pushed UP backward, their anger will further increase as people from all over the state are standing with the double engine government and giving their blessings, Modi claimed.

The PM also stressed on natural farming, saying it is the need of the hour. In India, natural farming used to be done at one time but with the passage of time, chemical farming took over, he said.

After arriving here in the morning, inaugurated and laid foundation stones for projects worth Rs 2,095 crore. This included “Banas Dairy Sankul” at Uttar Pradesh State Industrial Development Authority Food Park, Karkhiyaon.