BJP, Congress in blame game over calf killing

Members of the ruling BJP and Opposition Congress came to blows here over the slaughter of a calf in Kerala. VHP leader Shambhu Maharaj had sat on a 48-hour fast here against the calf slaughter, reportedly by Congress workers, in Kerala.

“The incident exposes the Congress’ stand on cow protection. Mere suspension of men who slaughtered the gau mata is not enough. They need to be booked under a stricter law and that is why I am going on a fast,” he told mediapersons.

However, trouble began when a group of Congressmen came to the venue, apparently under the pretext of supporting Maharaj on the issue.

“They telephoned me and said they wanted to support me. But once they arrived, they displayed some objectionable banners and attacked us,” Maharaj said.

The two groups threw stones at each other. The situation was brought under control after the police detained several people, including senior leaders. The Congress, on its part, blamed the BJP workers for the trouble.

“The BJP knows that it is losing ground in the forthcoming Assembly polls and so is trying to clutch the straws by raking up the cow protection issue,” Congress leader Indravijaysinh Gohil said.