Cow politics again

Mr Modi's condemnation of cow-inspired mob violence is significant for its timing and purpose. He went beyond a customary briefing on the eve of a Parliament session to make a spirited speech, parts of which were tweeted for wider notice. The issue he addressed — cow vigilantism — was on the Opposition agenda. Apart from voicing a strong disapproval of activities of gau rakshaks he talked of corruption. The Opposition also plans to raise the issue of CBI raids on the Lalu Prasad family. The PM’s immediate goal therefore appears to be to have a trouble-free monsoon session rather than address the Opposition concerns and reassure the nation on growing communal violence.  

Nobody would believe that fringe elements involved in lynching incidents happening in BJP-run states cannot be reined in. It was Mr Modi’s talk of “pink revolution” in the 2014 poll campaign that had started cow politics. Now even though the movement for cow protection has grown into a cottage industry of extortions, it is still not difficult to stop it. The crucial question is: does the BJP dispensation want it to end? The leadership may be weighing electoral benefits of polarisation against the economic cost to two powerful sections of the vote bank — Dalits and farmers. The PM has treated it as a law and order issue and passed the responsibility of curbing cow vigilantism on to states. He needs to send a stern message to the BJP chief ministers, who are rather engaged in a competitive show of love for the cow, giving a long rope to criminals masquerading as gau rakshaks.  

The mayhem perpetrated in the name of the cow has its consequences. The Supreme Court has stayed the Central rules to regulate cow trade. Sections of the middle class are offended. Civil society protests like the “Not-In-My-Name” drive have got wider support with international media adversely commenting on the emerging situation. This may have clearly moved Mr Modi to do some damage control (Desh ki chhavi par bhi iska asar pad raha hai). India’s emerging image as a less tolerant, illiberal society may be unacceptable to globalising Indians, here and abroad. A backlash may necessitate a rethink of the BJP strategy.