It is precisely prevarication that characterises the Prime Minister’s speeches on the rare occasions that he interacts with the media. The first tale is that of unifying a deeply divided and hierarchically ordered Hindu community under the banner of cow protection. The cow protection movement in the 1880s followed three sorts of strategies to achieve its twin objectives. The cow protection movement told us one tale of unifying a caste-ridden society, and of expanding the constituency of right-wing politics to the countryside. Whether fake or real, cow protection has become big business for many, and poses a serious threat to the lives and liberties of others.

Source: The Hindu August 09, 2016 00:33 UTC