Gau raksha: Nirmala Sitharaman backs CM Yogi Adityanath, says cow protectionism was part of freedom movement

"I would want the members to be very clear that it is not one thing during the freedom movement and another now," said Sitharaman.

Written by: Surabhi Shaurya

Published: April 6, 2017, 7:43 AM IST

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https://www.india.com/news/india/gau-raksha-nirmala-sitharaman-backs-cm-yogi-adityanath-says-cow-protectionism-was-part-of-freedom-movement-1998756/ Copy

New Delhi: Backing Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath over the crackdown on illegal slaughterhouses, minister of state for commerce and industry Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday said that there is nothing new which is happening in the state but cow protectionism was part of India’s freedom movement. While replying to a debate on the Footwear Design and Development Institute (FDDI) Bill 2017, during which members from opposition parties including Congress and Trinamool Congress raised the issue of availability of rawhide and skin for the leather industry after the ban on cow slaughter Sitharaman said, “We should not exaggerate a situation where a genuine attempt is being made by a chief minister in a state to legalise the matter and to not encourage illegal practices.”

“So, for all those members who wonder as to where the leather is going to be coming, this country, not today but over the centuries, has had leather tanning and it has given a steady flow of leather. That has never obstructed our own cow protection movements, about which each one of us will have to be proud of and that has been a part of our freedom movement’s call,” Sitharaman said.

As Congress member from West Bengal, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury tried to interrupt her with his remarks, Sitharaman said, “By disrupting my answer, the facts are not going to change. Our freedom movement has been fully encouraged and spirited by the cow protection movement. I do not want that to be forgotten, much before we criticise what is happening in Uttar Pradesh, which is the legitimate duty of an elected Government and that is what the Chief Minister is doing there.

“Why are we suddenly so agitated about what is happening in Uttar Pradesh? The Chief Minister is only doing what was very much the spirit behind our freedom movement itself. So, I would want the members to be very clear that it is not one thing during the freedom movement and another now,” she added further.

(With inputs from Agencies)