Mangalore : The Vice-President of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (International), Hukumchand Sawla, has expressed the need for the State Government enact a law against cow slaughter.

Addressing at a public meeting following the Goraksha Rally here on Monday, he said the fast decline in the number of cows was a cause of concern and steps need to be taken to address it.

Mr. Sawla said like Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh governments, the Karnataka government too should enact a law against slaughter of cows. “Any government that allows cow slaughter will not be in power for long time,” he said.

VHP Provincial Working President M B Puranik said in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Kasaragod districts, the ratio of human being and cow was 3:1 (one cow for three people) in 1947, but now it has decreased to 56:1. Theft of cows has become common and there is no system to hear the woes of people.

“The government withdrew the anti-cow slaughter bill framed by the previous BJP government. Police department is helpless as they under pressure not take action against thieves who steal cow. We will strengthen the hand of police and we are ready to help the department to stop illegal cattle transportation,” he said.

P Ananthakrishna Bhat of Gow Vanithashraya Trust said the State government is following dual policy related to cow farming. The department of animal husbandry and veterinary offers subsidy to milk and various concession, but in fact, people are not able to rear cows owing to increase in theft.

Pranth Gow Raksha Pramukh Kateel Dinesh Pai alleged that police are not taking legal action against cattle thieves. Earlier, workers of Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal from Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Uttara Kannada and Kasaragod districts took out a rally from Ambedkar Circle to Nehru Maidan.

Commissioner of Police S. Murugan had asked the organisers to cut short the rally and had barred making of speeches that could hurt religious sentiments. The rally started at noon and the function was over by 3 p.m. As there was no intimation about the traffic diversions, public had to suffer in the heavy traffic during the lunch break.

VHP District President Jagadish Shenava, Bajarang Dal Coordinator Sharan Pumpwell were present among others.