Jaipur/Kota: Former chief minister Vasundhara Raje Sunday warned that negligence in matters related to cow protection would not be tolerated, saying she identifies as a “Sanatani” and remains committed to safeguarding “Gau Mata” (mother cow).Raje stopped her convoy on the Hanging Bridge in Kota around 12:30pm while travelling from Jhalawar to Beawar after noticing a protest by members of the Sanatan Goraksha Seva Samiti and other groups demanding dignified disposal of cattle carcasses and action against alleged illegal slaughter.“I am a Sanatani. Any laxity by officials in the protection of cows will not be tolerated,” Raje said. “Gau rakshaks are protesting but officers are not listening. The public is alert, the officials are sluggish. This cannot continue. People have been raising their voices since Dec 14, yet no one is paying attention.”Protesters told Raje that dead cows in Kota were not being cremated respectfully and further alleged that, under the guise of carcass disposal, live cattle were being slaughtered and their meat sold illegally.Raje then called Kota Range DIG Rajendra Goyal and SP Tejaswini Gautam to the spot and directed them to conduct an inquiry and take strict action against those found guilty. The officers assured her that appropriate measures would be taken and that proper burial procedures—including covering remains with soil—would be ensured.Police said the protesters blocked traffic on the highway from both sides for nearly 20 minutes before it was restored. An inquiry into the highway obstruction is underway, Kota’s DSP (traffic) Manish Sharma said.The vigilantes also alleged that contractors engaged by Kota Municipal Corporation (KMC) were dumping bovine carcasses in an open field in Bandhadharmpura, where stray dogs and other animals feed on them, scattering body parts and creating public health concerns.However, KMC commissioner OP Mehra refuted the allegation, saying carcasses were not dumped in the open and that contractors had been instructed to ensure proper and respectful disposal of all animal remains, including those of cattle.Earlier in the day, cow vigilantes and Bajrang Dal activists took out a march demanding dignified disposal of bovine carcasses and stricter monitoring of carcass-disposal practices in the city.
