No Surprise: Gau Rakshaks Sign Up to Track Beef Ban in Maharashtra

There were 2,388 applicants for honorary position for volunteer work to monitor the beef ban in Maharashtra.

Once appointed, the cow vigilantes will get an ID card which allows them to “monitor and report any act of cruelty against all animals.” (Photo: The Quint)

Last year in May, the Maharashtra government sought applications for honorary positions for volunteer work, “without political affiliation”, to monitor the beef ban in the state.

Of the 2,388 applications, 2,371 applications were accepted and are awaiting scrutiny by a high court-appointed Committee to Monitor Animal Welfare Laws, reports The Indian Express.

Once appointed, the applications will get an ID card which allows them to “monitor and report any act of cruelty against all animals.”

Despite the conditions, the applications accessed and reviewed by The Indian Express showed that most of the applicants were affiliated to one of the following:

• Vishwa Hindu Parishad
  
• Bajrang Dal
  
• Ram Sena
  
• Hindu Sena
  
• Shiv Sena
  
• Durgavahini
  
• Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad
  
• Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh
  
  

In cases where candidates have been signed up by NGOs engaged in animal welfare, there’s barely any mention of animals beyond cattle.

Of the tehsils in Nanded district where elections are due, Deglur, Bioli and Dharmabad — all bordering Telangana, have seen the majority of applicants (73). Checkposts have been put up in those areas for strict supervision.

(Source: The Indian Express)