Bhubaneswar: A complete ban on cow slaughter and cow smuggling should be enforced in Odisha. Saints and spiritual leaders have raised this demand at the Joint Cow Protection Mahasammelan held today at Lower PMG. They have demanded that the state government recognize the cow as the “State Mother” and formulate cow-friendly policies. Officials from various organizations in Bhubaneswar participated in a grand procession to support this cause.
There is a strong public demand to free the sacred land of Lord Jagannath from the stain of cow slaughter. A memorandum has been submitted to the government urging immediate approval and enforcement of the Cow Slaughter Prohibition and Cow Protection Bill in the state assembly.
Participation of Religious and Spiritual Organizations
This Joint Cow Protection Mahasammelan saw the participation of ISKCON, the Gayatri Pariwar, Yoga Vedanta Samiti, Patanjali Yoga Samiti, Odisha Cow Seva Samiti, Neelachal Saraswat Sangha, Mahima Alekh, and the Sanatan Sant Samaj Mandir Sevayats.
Several Hindu organizations, including the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Bajrang Dal, Nava Bharat Hindu Sangathan, Hindu Jagaran Manch, Hindu Mahasangh, Dharma Jagaran Manch, Hindu Ekta Manch, and Debsena, voiced their opposition to cow slaughter, smuggling, and beef trade in Odisha.
Additionally, many gaushalas (cow shelters) and cow service organizations were part of this movement, including Go Seva Forum, Surabhi Godham, Maa Bharati Go Seva Kendra, Rashtriya Go Seva Parishad, Sahaya Go Sevashram, Shri Jagannath Go Seva Trust, Ramakrishna Go Seva Kendra, Balunkeshwar Go Seva Kendra, Shiva Shakti Gaushala, and others from Odisha.
Key Speakers and Organizers
The Mahasammelan was conducted by Uma Shankar Acharya, the State Co-Secretary of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP). Key speakers included Vishwajeet Pradhan (Coordinator of the Joint Cow Protection Mahasammelan), Pradeepta Tripathi (Campaigner of Odisha Go Seva Samiti), Pandit Mahesh Sahu (Odisha Secretary of VHP), Tukaram Das (Vice-President of ISKCON Odisha), Swami Omkaranandaji (President of Yoga Vedanta Seva Samiti), and Ramesh Chandra Das (President of Mahima Dharma Research Council).
The demands raised include the recognition of the cow as the “State Mother” and the introduction of strict laws for its protection.