Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath Defends Cow Reverence, Warns Against Cow Slaughter and Social Media Misuse

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday strongly defended the cultural and religious significance of cows in India, stating that they are regarded as mothers in Indian tradition and should be treated with the highest respect.

He also urged Muslim religious leaders to advise their followers against any actions or expressions that could be perceived as disrespectful towards cows.

Speaking at a government function in Bijnor, the Chief Minister referred to recent remarks made by some clerics and public campaigns seeking national animal status for the cow.

He said that just as a child naturally respects his mother, Indians hold the cow in similar esteem.

According to him, individuals who describe the cow merely as an animal often endorse practices such as cow slaughter.

Adityanath also expressed concern over reports of people allegedly sharing images of cows on social media while extending Bakrid greetings.

He called upon religious scholars and community leaders to discourage such activities and ensure that sentiments associated with the animal are respected.

Reiterating the state government’s firm stance, the Chief Minister declared that any involvement in cow slaughter would invite stringent legal action in Uttar Pradesh.

During the event, Adityanath distributed land ownership documents to 1,645 families displaced from Pakistan, along with former servicemen and land leaseholders who had long awaited legal ownership rights.

Highlighting the plight of families uprooted during the Partition, he said religious fanaticism had led to the confiscation of their ancestral properties and the killing of countless innocent Hindus and Sikhs.

He noted that after decades of uncertainty, the fourth generation of many of these displaced families was finally receiving legal recognition and ownership of land.

According to an official government statement, the initiative is expected to benefit nearly 8,000 to 10,000 individuals belonging to the 1,645 families.

Authorities also indicated that the process of granting ownership rights to other eligible beneficiaries is continuing.

The Chief Minister questioned why several Islamic religious leaders had remained silent about the hardships faced by people who suffered religious persecution in Pakistan.

He argued that advocating for the restoration of seized properties or compensation for affected families would have reflected genuine concern for their plight.

Accusing some religious leaders of adopting a selective approach,

Adityanath claimed that many had also failed to condemn incidents of violence against Hindus in neighbouring countries such as Pakistan and Bangladesh.

He further remarked that religious leaders should openly recognise Pakistan as a hostile nation and support the efforts of India’s armed forces whenever the country responds to security threats and hostile actions.

Reflecting on the law-and-order situation in western Uttar Pradesh in previous years, the Chief Minister claimed that major religious festivals, including Ram Navami, Janmashtami, Durga Puja and the Kanwar Yatra, often faced disruptions.

He also asserted that women, students and members of the business community once felt unsafe in the region.

Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for introducing the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), Adityanath said the legislation provides a pathway to Indian citizenship for persecuted Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists and Jains from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan after meeting residency requirements.

He criticised opposition parties for resisting the law and accused them of encouraging illegal immigration through their stance.

Referring to a recent murder case in Ghaziabad, where a young man was allegedly killed by a friend belonging to another community and the accused was later killed in a police encounter,

Adityanath described the incident as deeply disturbing. He remarked that violence carried out under the guise of friendship was unacceptable and suggested that parents and guardians must take responsibility for guiding their children and preventing them from straying onto the wrong path.