Just as PM Narendra Modi is making an effort to speak out against cow vigilantism in the country, a Madhya Pradesh government official and a former VHP-office bearer has said that the third world war will start over a cow.’

The Indian Express report by Milind Ghatwai published on Monday further quoted Mahamandleshwar Swami Akhileshwaranand Giri, who is the chairman of the executive council of the Madhya Pradesh Gaupalan Evam Pashudhan Samvardhan Board saying, “The cow has always been a source of contention. There are references in mythology and the first war of independence in 1857 began over the cow.”

The PM’s statements came in the backdrop of the widespread criticism of the BJP’s silence on the issue of oppression of Dalits across the country in the name of cow protectionism.

Before taking office in the cow protection department in the Madhya Pradesh government, Giri was part of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement and was also instrumental in reconverting Christians in the state and neighbouring Chhattisgarh, reports IE.

 Giri further said, “It’s natural for gau rakshaks to get angry when they see dead or injured cows packed in vehicles because it’s an emotive issue for them,” but cautioned “they should not take the law into their own hands and should wait for the police to come once they stop such vehicles”.

The IE reported added how Giri has plans to ‘sensitise’ officials in the animal husbandry for example, using words like ‘gaumata darshan’ instead of words like ‘inspection’.  

Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had slammed 'gau rakshaks' in his first MyGov townhall session. He said he felt angered by them and that cows mostly die of eating plastic bags out of the garbage. People should stop throwing plastic if they really want to do gau-seva, said Modi.