Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a jibe at the opposition when he said the usage of words ‘cow’ and ‘om’ makes people think the country is going back to the 16th century.
Bengaluru: Opposition party members have always criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Modi for their efforts in cow protection. Today, in Mathura, the PM hit out at the opposition members for pointing fingers at his policy to protect cows.
He said, "When some people hear the words Om and cow, they scream that the country is back to the 16th century. Such people are only destroying the nation."
Reacting to the Prime Minister’s observation, Asaduddin Owaisi, MP from Hyderabad said, “Cow is a sacred animal for our Hindu brothers but in Constitution right to life & equality has been given to humans, I hope PM will keep it in mind.”
The Prime Minister also stressed on the importance of cattle in rural economy.
He said, “Can one talk about rural economy without animals?"
Modi also spoke on the balance between nature and economic progress. He said, "The environment and fauna have always been significant to India's economic concerns. We can move towards a new, empowered India only by maintaining a balance between nature and economic progress."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in Mathura to launch the National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP).
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The PM earlier launched National Animal Disease Control programme in Mathura for eradicating Foot and Mouth disease and Brucellosis in livestock.
During his visit, the Prime Minister interacted with veterinary doctors, farmers and even plastic segregators. He also impressed upon the women to segregate plastic from waste so that it doesn’t end up in the stomachs of cows.
NDTV quoted that the new scheme, with 100 per cent funding from the Centre (Rs. 12,652 crore) for a period of five years till 2024, aims at vaccinating over 500 million animals including cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats and pigs against foot and mouth disease.
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