In front of 300 clerics, RSS-linked body to urge Muslims to shun beef in Roorkee

The two day meet of Rashtryia Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) affiliate Muslim Rashtryia Manch (MRM) kicks off in Roorkee district of Uttar Pradesh amid a row over beef consumption and protection of cows.

Roorkee: The two-day meet of Rashtryia Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) affiliate Muslim Rashtryia Manch (MRM) began in the Roorkee district of Uttar Pradesh amid an ongoing row over beef consumption and protection of cows.

According to ANI, during the two-day meeting, which is being attended by nearly 300 clerics, the RSS-linked body is expected to clear its stand on beet consumption and triple talaq. 

However, ahead of the meeting, RSS leader Indresh Kumar had triggered a fresh controversy by making an appeal to Muslims to adopts cows and stop eating beef.

RSS ideologue Indresh Kumar had made this appeal while participating in a function organised by the RSS' affiliate Muslim Rashtriya Manch.

The RSS leader had called on the Muslims to protect cows by opening gaushalas (cow shelters) and stop eating beef, as per ANI.

Congress, however, censured the RSS over its affiliate Muslim Rashtriya Manch's (MRM) appeal to Muslims to shun beef eating.

Targeting the RSS, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge told ANI that on the one hand, the right wing organisation appeals Muslims to protect cows, and on the other hand, they beat and kill even those Muslims for whom cows are source of income.

"How could they (MRM) ask Muslims to open gaushalas (cow shelters) when they attacked Muslims who earn their bread and butter from selling cow milk? Kharge asked.

"Look what happened in Alwar, Jharkhand, Jammu and Kashmir. In order to conceal their mistakes, now they have forced some Muslims to appeal for cow protection," said Kharge.

Another Congress leader PL Punia also attacked the RSS over the issue.

"The Muslim Rashtriya Manch's suggestion is good, but they should tell where beef is being eaten, and where cows are being slaughtered. Except few states, cow slaughter is banned across India. It is the responsibility of the respective state governments to enforce the ban strongly," Punia told ANI.

He alleged that the beef export had increased manifold during the incumbent BJP-led NDA regime at the Centre but still the RSS had kept a mum.

"The RSS should also ask the Modi Government that how much the beef export increased during its three year rule. Beef export has increased manifold during the Modi government. The RSS intentionally rakes up such issues just to flare the religious sentiments," alleged Punia.

The BJP, however, jumped in Indresh Kumar's defence and said that he had not asked for imposition of any rule but has simply explained the scientific advantages of the bovine.

BJP leader Shaina NC said Kumar has only highlighted the medicinal values of the cow and the fact that the Holy Quran says that we should not be consuming the meat of the cow.