UP farmers are furious as stray cows are eating their crops & accuse the state government of ignoring this issue, vowing not to vote for BJP.
While PM Modi in response promises to resolve this stray cows‘ menace, this looms heavily against the BJP during this election, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday promised voters in Uttar Pradesh that after March 10 (election result) a new policy would be introduced to deal with the issue.
Stray cattle are also known as anna pashu or chutta janwar enter the fields in herds and not only devour the crops but also trample over large tracts of it. In Uttar Pradesh, it is common for stray cattle to enter fields and target crops, especially in the drought-prone region of Bundelkhand, farmers say the hazard heightened after the BJP government came to power in 2017 due to the collapse of the local cattle markets, curbs in the transportation of cattle, shutting down of illegal slaughterhouses and the policy of cow conservation.
Stray bulls have also attacked villagers, prompting the Samajwadi Party to announce that if voted to power it would provide a compensation of ₹5 lakh each to the kin of those who died after being injured by stray bulls. Recently, an aged man died in Mainpuri district after being tossed to the ground by a bull.
SP president Akhilesh Yadav in his campaign and promised to throw out the “baba, bull and bulldozer” government of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
Ground reports suggest that the issue affects farmers cutting across castes. It has become a major talking point among rural voters.
Mr. Modi, without giving any specifics, said the government would make the dung (gobar) of stray animals beneficial for the farmer.
Addressing a rally in Unnao, Mr. Modi said a new system would be put in place to “get rid” of the problem.
“I will place such a system before you under which you can derive an income even from gobar [dung] of the animal which does not give milk anymore,” said Mr. Modi.
A day would come when people when they encounter a stray animal would tie it at home thinking that they can also make it a source of income, said the PM.
People, however, say that how can one trust a government such as BJP which ignores serious issues during their terms but only makes sweet promises during elections?