Adityanath warns of tough action against cow smugglers, says to link 'Vande Mataram' with communalism is unfortunate

GORAKHPUR: Urging the people of  Uttar Pradesh to step forward for ' Gau Raksha', Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday said his government will take tough actions against cow smugglers. "Merely chanting 'Gau Mata ki Jai' is not enough. We should also take initiative for the protection of cows," he said. He also expressed unhappiness on the row over recitation of national song Vande Matram. "Nowadays, the situation is that the national song is linked with communalism. Had it not been recited in schools, it would have become extinct today," the saffron-clad leader said while addressing a gathering after the RSS-BJP coordination meeting in Gorakhpur. "After independence, we assumed that the responsibility of redressing all the problems is upon government while we considered ourselves free of that," he added. Talking about holiday ban on birth, death anniversary of eminent personalities, Yogi said, "we have divided the great men into caste, which has divided the society. Public holidays were declared in the name of these great men, but we did not tell the society anything about these personalities". "We try to educate students in such a way that they take up government jobs, become clerks or policemen. But we have not done anything to make them patriot," he said. Adityanath said his government's decision to cancel the leave for 15 days will raise the revenue of about 50000 crore, which will lead to development of the state. He also justified the decision to ban illegal slaughterhouses and said that his government has implemented the 3-year-old order with commitment. "With closure of illegal abattoirs, livestock will increase. In such a situation, the society will have to work to protect them," he said. Praising Narendra Modi, the chief minister said after he became Prime Minister the influence of India has increased worldwide. After taking charge of the UP government, Adityanath had ordered a blanket ban on smuggling of cows and said zero tolerance would be exercised in this regard. He had also ordered closure of illegal slaughterhouses in the state.