Missing: Cow; Where: BJP Manifesto

BJP might have retained all its core issues from Ram Mandir to Article 370 and added some like Sabarimala to its manifesto but one thing that is missing is cow when one compares it with the 2009 or 2014 document.

There is just one mention of cows, that too in the form of cow shelter, in the 2019 manifesto when it said 'Goshalas' in the country will be linked to the promotion of organic farming.

During the past five years, the Opposition has alleged, cow-related vigilantism and violence had been on rise and put the blame on the right-wing politics practised by it.

There were elaborate references to promises related to cow in the previous two manifestos.

In 2014, it said in view of the contribution of cow and its progeny to agriculture, socio-economic and cultural life of our country, the Department of Animal Husbandry will be suitably strengthened and empowered for the protection and promotion of cow and its progeny.

"Necessary legal framework will be created to protect and promote cow and its progeny. A National Cattle Development board will be set up to implement a Programme for the improvement of indigenous livestock breeds," it had said in a repeat of what it had said in 2009.

In 2009 manifesto, the BJP had referred to a Supreme Court judgement and said that keeping with the Directive Principles of State Policy, the necessary legal framework will be created to protect and promote cow and its progeny.

"In view of the contribution of cow and its progeny to agriculture, socio-economic and cultural life of our country, the Department of Animal Husbandry will be suitably strengthened and empowered for the protection and promotion of cow and its progeny. A National Cattle Development Board will be set up to implement a programme for the improvement of indigenous

livestock breeds," the 2009 manifesto said.