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<ul><li>Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, tweeted "Eid Mubarak" wishing for peace and happiness today morning. </li><li>But the situation in Jammu and Kashmir remains tense with limited provisions in play. </li><li>Students in the Kashmir Valley are also planning on protesting the Eid celebrations organised by the central government. </li></ul>The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished Indians a happy Eid al-Adha. However, the valley is clearly staying away from celebrations as the mood remains sombre after the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/jammu-and-kashmir-and-ladakh-will-now-be-two-separate-union-territories/articleshow/70531866.cms">bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir</a> on 5 August. <div type="twitter" handle="narendramodi" handlename="Narendra Modi" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1134082549041393672/QbihPzrL_normal.png" favoritecount="78373" retweetcount="8830" status="My best wishes on the occasion of Eid al-Adha. I hope it furthers the spirit of peace and happiness in our society. Eid Mubarak!" createdat="1565577756000" id="1160743356974030849"></div>

 Kashmiri students have boycotted a lunch invite from the central government to express their protest, according to IANS. And, in spite of Modis promise that normalcy will return to the valley during the festival, food and ration shops are open only in certain areas. The same applies to ATMs as well. Nonetheless, the government is trying to ensure that people have round the clock access to basic amenities, like electricity and water, with staff on standby in case there’s a breakdown. Students protest Nearly 250 students at the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) have stated that they will not be attending the festivities organised at the university’s guest house. Other students in the Kashmir Valley have also stated that they will be staying away from any kind of festivities on campus. Jammu and Kashmir governor, Satya Pal Malik, recently sanctioned ₹1 lakh to organise Eid festivities in the valley. But according to the students at AMU, the money is given to buy their consent. "We take this as an opportunity to reject Delhi's authoritarianism and drama played in Parliament on August 5," they said in a statement. Restrictions and Section 144 The Jammu and Kashmir administration had eased the prohibitory orders in Kashmir Valley for the past few days for people to make purchases for Eid. And, while there have been no reports of violence on Sunday, Section 144 has been reinstated in certain areas. Even in Srinagar, restrictions were reinstated on Sunday afternoon. The <a href="https://twitter.com/PIBHomeAffairs/status/1160500494566977536/photo/2">spokesperson</a> for the Ministry of Home Affairs shared that the central government is trying to make sure that there are enough groceries for the people living in the area. Bakeries, poultry and mutton shops will remain open. Health institutions are also operational and 300 special telephones have been installed for people to get in touch with their relatives. Even so, a security alert has been issued ahead of Independence Day on August 15. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/the-phone-and-internet-blackout-in-kashmir-is-so-total-that-locals-reportedly-dont-know-india-rewrote-their-constitution/articleshow/70587309.cms">The phone and internet blackout in Kashmir is so total that locals reportedly don't know India rewrote their constitution</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/fake-news-spread-in-jammu-kashmir-about-article-35a/articleshow/70502051.cms">Fake news is adding to the anxiety around tensions on the India-Pakistan border</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/what-is-article-370-of-the-indian-constitution-all-you-need-to-know/articleshow/69684790.cms">What is Article 370 of the Indian Constitution and why it is in news today - Everything that you should know</a>

Muted Eid celebrations in the Valley amidst partial curfew and August 15 security

Chandrayaan 2, cricket and the elections — top 10 events that took Twitter by storm this year

<ul><li>A Reuters Correspondent Devjyot Ghoshal said, "The situation is NOT normal in Kashmir" following a series of tweets on July 13. </li><li>People in <keyword id="41568" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Srinagar">Srinagar</keyword>, <keyword id="17605" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Jammu-and-kashmir">Jammu and Kashmir</keyword>'s Capital had to beg the military personnel to go out of the region, reported New York Times </li></ul>It's been nine days since the Indian government revoked section 370 and 35A that gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir, triggering protests. And, there is no change in the status of communications <a href="https://in.reuters.com/article/india-kashmir-srinagar/authorities-lock-down-srinagar-on-eid-holiday-idINKCN1V3069">blackout and curfew</a>. A Reuters Correspondent Devjyot Ghoshal said, "The situation is NOT normal in Kashmir" following a series of tweets on July 13. <div type="twitter" handle="DevjyotGhoshal" handlename="Devjyot Ghoshal" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/926902749505011712/o_869QAS_normal.jpg" favoritecount="11928" retweetcount="8207" status="#Thread I wasn't inclined to tweet about #Kashmir, but after seeing the amount of disinformation, I am going to.… https://t.co/qyB4uWgHlX" createdat="1565706798000" id="1161284598397116417"></div>
 The Supreme Court of India said that the government needs more time to restore normal life in Kashmir during a hearing of a petition seeking to lift ban on communication services, <a href="https://in.reuters.com/article/india-kashmir/india-needs-time-to-restore-order-in-kashmir-supreme-court-judge-idINKCN1V315G">reported </a>Reuters. The Indian government official earlier <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india-accused-the-bbc-and-reuters-of-lying-about-large-scale-protests-in-kashmir-even-though-they-were-recorded-on-video/articleshow/70646527.cms">claimed that the situation is ‘normalising’ in Kashmir.</a> But, a few media agencies say otherwise. <div type="twitter" handle="DevjyotGhoshal" handlename="Devjyot Ghoshal" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/926902749505011712/o_869QAS_normal.jpg" favoritecount="793" retweetcount="416" status="Srinagar’s fire dept could only radio 21 fire stations. People couldn't reach them, except for actually turning up… https://t.co/dTXvN0b50b" createdat="1565708947000" id="1161293612400775169"></div>

 The same day, the Ministry of Home Affairs spokesperson Vasudha Gupta tweeted saying, “The restrictions in Jammu &amp; Kashmir are being eased out in a phased manner in the Valley and the situation in the Jammu division has been restored after assessment by relevant local authorities.” The local police too assured that the situation is under control. They<a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/restrictions-to-continue-in-kashmir-for-sometime-top-cop/story-ILPJtNUqA7bCuh4nrGmuUN.html"> said, </a>“There have been only a few pellet injuries that have been treated.” “This is obviously a sensitive week, we have a major festival today, we have our independence day on August 15,”<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-08-11/indian-kashmir-in-lock-down-as-communication-links-remain-cutoff"> said</a> Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale assuring that the situation will ease when the law and order improves. <div type="twitter" handle="DevjyotGhoshal" handlename="Devjyot Ghoshal" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/926902749505011712/o_869QAS_normal.jpg" favoritecount="1082" retweetcount="605" status="Today is/was the ninth day that Kashmir is locked down, under an information blackout. The next few days at criti… https://t.co/7tLEh5GIRU" createdat="1565710352000" id="1161299504437460992"></div>
 However, Muslim majority Kashmir is angry and furious. They were reportedly unable to celebrate Eid because the local authorities backed by thousands of paramilitary forces were keeping tight security, <a href="https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/south-asia/article/3022355/military-lockdown-hampers-eid-kashmir-cash-and-sheep-slaughter">reported </a>South China Morning Post. The Indian government <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/The-phone-and-internet-blackout-in-Kashmir-is-so-total-that-locals-reportedly-dont-know-India-rewrote-their-constitution/articleshow/70587309.cms">blocked all the telephone lines</a>, internet and television networks on August 5, just before they abolished the section. Telephone services were restored in Jammu today. However, the government is yet to restore the services in Kashmir. <div type="twitter" handle="kavita_krishnan" handlename="Kavita Krishnan" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/991784077463257088/H6uf_pMu_normal.jpg" favoritecount="529" retweetcount="285" status="A solidarity team - Jean Drèze, economist, @kavita_krishnan of AIPWA, @MaimoonaMollah of AIDWA &amp; @vimalbhai11 of… https://t.co/ffUoHxboq8" createdat="1565696919000" id="1161243162922274821"></div>
 <keyword id="1046469" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Kavita-Krishnan">Kavita Krishnan</keyword>, Secretary of the All India Progressive Women's Association, claims that the situation is not what most media is claiming to be. The Indian government <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india-accused-the-bbc-and-reuters-of-lying-about-large-scale-protests-in-kashmir-even-though-they-were-recorded-on-video/articleshow/70646527.cms">accused top news agencies</a> -- Reuters, BBC -- for reporting news which is "completely fabricated and incorrect". According to BBC, the Indian government used tear gas to tackle a massive crowd protesting against its decision. It also said that the government denied it ever happened. People in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir's Capital had to beg the military personnel to go out of the region, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/10/world/asia/kashmir-india-pakistan.html">reported New York Times</a>. People were reportedly struggling to buy essential groceries like milk, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/10/world/asia/kashmir-india-pakistan.html">the report said. </a> See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india-accused-the-bbc-and-reuters-of-lying-about-large-scale-protests-in-kashmir-even-though-they-were-recorded-on-video/articleshow/70646527.cms">India accused the BBC and Reuters of lying about large-scale protests in Kashmir, even though they were recorded on video</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/The-phone-and-internet-blackout-in-Kashmir-is-so-total-that-locals-reportedly-dont-know-India-rewrote-their-constitution/articleshow/70587309.cms">The phone and internet blackout in Kashmir is so total that locals reportedly don't know India rewrote their constitution</a>

A spine-chilling account of the situation in Kashmir has gone viral-- and here's how it stacks up against the government narrative

<ul><li>Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation late last evening on the Kashmir issue, but didn’t mention when the curfew would be uplifted. </li><li>Kashmiris continue to live in curfew, with no internet, no calls. </li><li>The UN Secretary General too has expressed his concern about the worsening of human rights in <keyword id="23412" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Jammu-Kashmir">Jammu &amp; Kashmir</keyword>.</li></ul>For the last five days, Indians have been arguing, joking and debating the abrogation of Article 370, resulting in endless calls, and social media messages. But those who should have had a say in the matter, Kashmiris, are silent. Because, they have been silenced. The Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced in the Rajya Sabha that Article 370 is scrapped. And Kashmir has been on lockdown a day before the announcement, which is August 4. Since Sunday night, internet services have been suspended in Jammu &amp; Kashmir, with a curfew in place since Monday morning (August 5). And, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made no announcement on lifting it in an address to the nation <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/narendra-modi-address-to-the-nation-live-updates-and-speech-highlights-on-kashmir-news/articleshow/70589852.cms">yesterday</a>, even as he doled out infrastructure and industry benefits. Modi however did promise that he would facilitate Eid celebration. But he did not say how, as the status quo remains in the valley. He did not speak about the communications blackout and transportation issues in the newly formed union territories. This is the case even as Muslims across the country are gearing up to celebrate Eid on August 12. Kashmiris are still not sure about their fate. Social media is filled with messages and pleas from Kashmiris living outside of Jammu &amp; Kashmir hoping for the safety of their family back home. Screenshots of messages are doing the rounds of students and professionals trying to reach out to their parents, but have no response. But the new found constitutional status is not on top of the minds of Kashmiris. A <a href="https://www.indiatoday.in/mail-today/story/kashmir-article-370-revoked-valley-faces-shortage-essential-items-due-curfew-1578458-2019-08-08">shortage of food</a> and other necessities is beginning to worry them as the curfew prevails. Reports say that people are unable to communicate with their neighbours as well. Over a 100 people have been arrested so far. That includes former chief ministers like Mehbooba Mufti, Omar Abdullah as well as Jammu and Kashmir People's Conference leaders Sajjad Lone and Imran Ansari. There is no word from the government on when they would be released, either. António Guterres, the UN Secretary General expressed his concerns over the plight of Kashmiris. A statement released on Thursday by the UN said, “The Secretary-General is also concerned overreports of restrictions on the Indian-side of Kashmir, which could exacerbate the human rights situation in the region.”

It’s been 5 days since Article 370 was scrapped but Kashmiris continue to live in the dark

<ul><li>Two days after Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh were brought directly under the central government's control, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chose to make a special address to the nation.</li><li>Modi also said that the Union Territory status of Jammu and Kashmir is a temporary measure and the state will get its own assembly as soon as possible.</li><li>While the contentious decision has been contested by his rivals, both houses of the Indian Parliament have approved the Presidential order that redefined Jammu and Kashmir's political status.</li><li>Article 370 and Article 35A had given nothing but terrorism, separatism, dynasty politics, and corruption," he said.</li></ul>Two days the state of Jammu and Kashmir, including the Ladakh region, were split into two Union Territories, Prime Minister Narendra Modi revealed that this is a temporary measure only. While Ladakh will remain under the direct control of the central government, Jammu and Kashmir will get to hold its elections once again and elect a local leader. To those who oppose the move to abrogate Article 370 and Article 35A in Jammu and Kashmir -- provisions that allowed the state to make its own laws -- Modi said that he respects their right to disagree but urged them to keep aside the differences in 'national interest'. This speech has come two days after the central government wrested direct control over the volatile Jammu and Kashmir state by disbanding the province into two Union Territories namely Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, first through a Presidential order and later got it ratified by the Parliament. Watch Prime Minister Narendra Modi's full speech here: 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 <div type="Youtube" id="rIQVbEuxYWg" title="Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address the Nation | PMO" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/rIQVbEuxYWg/mqdefault_live.jpg"></div>


















 He assured the people of Jammu and Kashmir that the situation in the region will come back to normal as soon as possible and promised that there will be no obstacle in the upcoming Eid celebrations next week. In his address, PM Modi said that "Article 370 and Article 35A had given nothing but terrorism, separatism, dynasty politics, and corruption." He also added that Pakistan had been using this as a weapon to push its agenda in Kashmir and that over 42,000 people lost their lives in the process. Modi also said that the women of Kashmir were denied equal rights, poor workers did not not get the benefit of India's minimum wage laws, and socially marginalised Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes were deprived of the benefits of the central government's affirmative action. He also promised state benefits, for government employees including the Police in Jammu and Kashmir as well as in Ladakh, like leave travel allowance, house rent allowance, and allowance for children's education among others. "We have removed the obstacles to the development of Jammu and Kashmir," said Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his special address to the nation, which will also be aired on the state-owned All India Radio. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/jammu-and-kashmir-and-ladakh-will-now-be-two-separate-union-territories/articleshow/70531866.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh will now be two separate Union Territories</a>

Jammu and Kashmir will become a state again but after some time, reveals Prime Minister Narendra Modi

<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"></div></div></div><ul class="summary-list"><li>Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi appeared in an episode of "Man vs Wild" alongside survivalist Bear Grylls on Monday night.</li><li>The episode appears to be an untimely publicity stunt as the Indian government continues to limit Kashmir's access to food and the internet for the ninth consecutive day.</li><li>Since Modi became prime minister in 2014, his government has spent more than $700 million on cultivating his strongman image.</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/?hprecirc-bullet">Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.</a></li></ul>Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has appeared on "Man vs Wild," the British survivalist Bear Grylls' show, while his country continues to choke off Kashmir's access to food and the internet for the ninth consecutive day.In the episode, broadcast by Discovery Channel India on Monday night, Modi built makeshift rafts and discussed growing up in a poor family as he and Grylls crossed a river at the Jim Corbett National Park in northern India, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/12/modi-talks-of-his-positivity-on-bear-gryllss-man-vs-wild">The Guardian reported</a>.While it's not clear how far in advance the episode was filmed, its Monday airing seems an untimely publicity stunt as Modi's government continues to cut off Kashmir from the rest of the world.<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"></div></div></div>Indian security forces have blocked off most major roads, and cut off phone and internet lines around the region - a <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/kashmir-blackout-locals-dont-know-india-revoked-autonomy-report-2019-8">common strategy</a> to prevent large protests and the spread of information critical of authorities.Some journalists on the ground have been <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/news/journalists-in-kashmir-get-satellite-phones-after-internet-and-mobile-are-shut-down/articleshow/70530054.cms?_ga=2.92835550.21216054.1565594750-1569903452.1556696064">offered satellite phones</a> for 100,000 rupees ($1,400) so they can keep reporting.Read more: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/kashmir-india-accuse-bbc-reuters-lying-about-protests-despite-video-2019-8">India accused the BBC and Reuters of lying about large-scale protests in Kashmir, even though they were recorded on video</a>This crackdown came after the Indian government <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/kashmir-india-revoke-article-370-quasi-independence-internet-tourists-2019-8">removed a constitutional provision</a> that had guaranteed the independence of the Jammu and Kashmir region to make its own laws, and prevented outsiders from buying property or seeking government jobs in the mostly-Muslim region.Critics believe that India's move last week will allow Indian Hindus to alter the state's ethnic and religious makeup.<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"></div></div></div>Indian security forces have also sent in thousands more troops to the region, which is already one of the most heavily-militarized areas in the world.The roadblocks have prevented food supplies from entering the region, and sick people are struggling to get to hospital due to the faulty phone lines and police blocking ambulances from moving around.<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/10/kashmir-protests-india-curfew">The Guardian cited</a> a man named Syed Asim Ali as saying that his family in Srinagar, the largest city in Jammu and Kashmir, had been eating dried vegetables because of the food shortage.Other residents have been stockpiling medicine and food in preparation of further disruption amid Eid al-Adha, a key festival in Islam, which takes place this week, <a href="https://www.apnews.com/29f6bffe7a93438dbafb3461ecb75b30">The Associated Press reported</a> over the weekend.Pakistan - which also claims Jammu and Kashmir as its own territory - has appealed to the US and UN for help to mediate the Kashmir crisis, while India repeatedly maintains that this is a regional issue.<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"></div></div></div><h2>The cult of Modi</h2>Monday's "Man vs Wild" episode appears to be another attempt by Modi to build his cult of personality in the country and drum up nationalistic support.The strongman leader has participated in multiple photo ops to boost his image - as well as that of his right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party since becoming prime minister in 2014.His government has spent more than 52 billion rupees ($728 million) in pro-BJP ads and social media posts since the 2014 financial year, India's <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/govt-has-spent-over-rs-5200-cr-in-ads-since-2014-15-rathore-in-ls/articleshow/67077392.cms">Economic Times reported</a> last year.The BJP also hires hundreds of thousands of people to recruit new voters via phone and door knocks, ultimately helping build "the most extraordinary personality cult in modern Indian history," according to Indian politician and prominent Modi critic <a href="https://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/narendra-modi-india-election-personality-cult-by-shashi-tharoor-2019-05">Shashi Tharoor</a>.Rajini Vaidyanathan, the BBC's South Asia correspondent, even <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-48332141">likened</a> Modi rallies to those of US President Donald Trump earlier this year.The strongman image, a traditional persona adopted by world leaders throughout history, has been deployed to great effect by Modi's counterparts, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Xi Jinping, China's president.Putin has taken advantage of numerous <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/vladimir-putin-macho-stunts-that-arent-as-impressive-as-they-seem-2018-3">publicity stunts to assert his macho image</a>, famously <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/putin-defends-shirtless-photos-i-see-no-need-to-hide-2018-6?r=US&amp;IR=T">riding shirtless on horseback while on holiday in Siberia.</a>

Indian prime minister Modi appears with Bear Grylls on 'Man vs Wild' as he cuts off Kashmir's food and internet for 9th day

<keyword id="2520139" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Cow-trafficking">Cow trafficking</keyword> and slaughtering are words which don’t exist for many Indians, but visit the east and you would encounter the harsh reality — it (cow trafficking) is a regular affair, and a lucrative business for smugglers and butchers. This is precisely the reason why the country’s total cattle population declined from 20.45 crore in 1992 to 19.90 crore in 2007. 
 It is sad that cows are battling for life in India, a country where they are regarded as sacred and worshipped by the majority population. Our Vedic scriptures, which refer to them as ‘mothers,’ attached great importance to cows, and encouraged people to value as well as preserve them. Even Mughal emperors such as Akbar were against <keyword id="2520140" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Cow-slaughtering">cow slaughtering</keyword> — the fact was highlighted during a hearing on The <keyword id="2520142" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="West-Bengal-Animal-Slaughter-Central-Act">West Bengal Animal Slaughter Central Act</keyword>, 1950. “Mughal Emperor Babar saw the wisdom of prohibiting the slaughter of cows as and by way of religious sacrifice and directed his son Humayun to follow this. Similarly, Emperors Akbar, Jahangir and Ahmad Shah, it is said, prohibited cow slaughter,” the Supreme Court had said. 
 
Cow traffickers spreading their wings across India The network of cow smugglers is spread across different states. According to local estimates, about 20,000 to 30,000 cows are smuggled to Bangladesh every day. The smuggling reaches its peak during <keyword id="6417740" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Eid-ul-Zuha">Eid-ul-Zuha</keyword> (<keyword id="6622052" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bakrid">Bakrid</keyword>). From Bangladesh, they are exported all over the world, especially the Middle East, where beef is in huge demand. The route traffickers take for illegal export of cow is: cows from UP, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and states as far as Haryana and Punjab are first transported to <keyword id="6357783" type="CITY" weightage="80" keywordseo="West-Bengal">West Bengal</keyword> from where they are smuggled to Bangladesh through <keyword id="55201" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Murshidabad">Murshidabad</keyword>, the bordering district of India and Bangladesh. 
 On August 29, about 2000 cows stuffed in 100 trucks were caught in Govindpur (Jharkhand). The trucks, which were carrying cows from the neighbouring states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand for being sacrificed on the occasion of Eid-ul-Zuha (Bakrid), were on their way to West Bengal. These trucks, jam-packed with cows, were found by the volunteers of <keyword id="2520141" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Akhil-Bharatiya-Gau-Raksha-Mission">Akhil Bharatiya Gau Raksha Mission</keyword>, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Bajrang Dal and BJP activists. 
 
Holy cows facing the worst in West Bengal 
In Bihar, export of cows for any purpose is banned. In Muslim-dominated Jammu and Kashmir, there is a punishment of up to 10 years of imprisonment if someone is found guilty of cow slaughter. Even possession of flesh of slaughtered animals is a punishable offence with imprisonment up to one year. Transport of cows outside Jammu and Kashmir for slaughtering is also prohibitted. 
 
Sadly, the West Bengal police and administration isn’t taking any stern action in this regard. The Akhil Bharatiya Gau Raksha Mission activists allege that the West Bengal police behave rudely whenever they approach them to lodge complaint. According to them, when their activists rescued some cows in Kolkata’s Lalbazar, police threatened to arrest them under non-bailable sections. Now, the big question that arises is: Is the state police under some ‘external pressure’ not to act against the perpetrators? 
 
There surely seems to be some connection. The West Bengal government’s sheer apathy towards cow slaughtering has been witnessed on several occasions. For instance, the Bengal government used the provision granted in the West Bengal Animal Slaughter Central Act*, 1950, to allow cow slaughter on Eid-ul-Zuha (Bakrid). After this relaxation, more than one lakh young and healthy cows got slaughtered in Kolkata every year on this occasion. 
 
The Calcutta High Court intervened and struck down the exemption provided by the state government in 1982. The Bengal government and butchers took the matter to the Supreme Court, which upheld the High Court’s judgment. But, in spite of the court order, the West Bengal administration hasn’t taken any concrete measures; except for cosmetic steps like publishing advertisements in local newspapers. 
 
The Animal Husbandry Department of the Government of India says that in West Bengal, the contempt of the Supreme Court's judgment is going on since 1994. “Any amount of follow-up action by the animal welfare organisations to persuade the state administration have not achieved the desired results. On the contrary, some peaceful agitators pleading with the administration for compliance with the Supreme Court order were rounded up and put behind bars on the occasion of Eid-ul-Zuha (Bakrid) in the year 2002.” 
 
Better fate awaits cows 
Except for West Bengal and the northeastern states, other states have been making effort to save cows. In 1982, the erstwhile Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, wrote a letter to chief ministers of 14 states, asking them to enforce the ban in letter and spirit. Sadly, the ban has remained only in ‘letters’ and never in ‘spirit.’ 
 
With the Narendra Modi-led government in power at the Centre, one can hope that stern action would be taken against the smugglers. After all, Modi had talked about the issue during his election campaign and promised to take care of farmers and their cattle. He ruthlessly attacked the UPA government for ‘pink revolution’ and increase in export of meat, including beef, while his supporters chanted Modi ko matdaan, Gai ko jeevandaan slogan. 
 
However, after coming to power, we have not seen any action from the BJP government on this front yet. Agreed, that government has several high-priority tasks at hand, but cow protection is also the need of the hour — not because of the religious sentiments attached, but for maintenance of the ecological balance. If slaughtering of cows goes on rampantly, they may get to the verge of extinction, which would disturb the ecological chain. 
 
* The West Bengal Animal Slaughter Central Act, 1950: The act was passed to “control the slaughter of certain animals with a view to increase the supply of milk and to avoid the wastage of animal power necessary for improvement of agriculture. Section 2 lays down that the Act applies to animals specified in the sched­ule. The schedule to the Act covers bulls, bullocks, cows, calves, male and female buffaloes, buffalo calves and castrated buffaloes.” However, the Act also has a provision for lifting the ban for religious, medicinal or research purposes.

With Cow Trafficking And Slaughtering On Rise, ‘Mother’ Cow Struggles For Existence

If everything goes as planned, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=prime+minister+narendra+modi">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a> is going to announce Rs 1 lakh-crore financial package for <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=jammu+and+kashmir">Jammu &amp; Kashmir</a> on <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=independence+day">Independence Day</a>. 
 
As per reports, the blueprint of the same is prepared and awaits a nod from the PM himself. 
 
The state government had expected the package to be announced around Eid last month. 
 
A person close to the matter told Economic Times that Union expenditure secretary Rattan P Wattal is in touch with the senior functionaries of the state government including the finance minister. 
 
J&amp;K finance minister Haseeb Drabu had earlier said that at least 12 meetings in Delhi were held to finalise the package. 
 
As per reports, Drabu had met Union <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=arun+jaitley">Finance Minister Arun Jaitley</a> and senior bureaucrats in the Prime Minister's Office. 
 
Jammu and Kashmir expects the package to include a substantial component for the 2014 flood victims who are yet to receive any compensation. 
 
(Image: Reuters)

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