Relocate stray cattle to gaushalas: Unions to admn

A delegation representing various Hindu organisations today met Additional Deputy Commissioner Dr Akshita Gupta in Phagwara and urged the administration to protect stray cattle.

The delegation submitted a memorandum demanding that these animals be relocated to gaushalas (cow shelters) or other appropriate shelters to safeguard their lives.

Inderjit Karwal, senior vice president of Shiv Sena, Punjab, said stray cattle were vulnerable to abduction by smugglers, particularly for slaughter.

Deepak Bhardwaj, head of the Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Suraksha Samiti, cited a major incident reported around a month ago in Phagwara involving illegal cattle slaughter.

Hari Krishna Duggal, district chief of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, pointed out similar occurrences being reported in other cities.

Though the Punjab Government collected cow cess, there had been little to no visible impact on the ground, said Harsh Bhalla of Bajrang Dal.

The memorandum also highlighted the risk stray cattle pose to public safety, with animals often wandering onto busy roads, causing traffic disruptions and accidents. “This is not just a matter of religious sentiment but also of public safety and administrative accountability,” the delegation said.

The delegation urged the ADC to take concrete steps to ensure the immediate rehabilitation of stray cattle into government-aided or NGO-run shelters.