By Special Correspondent
Bhopal: The condition of cattle in Madhya Pradesh continues to deteriorate, exposing the state government’s hollow promises of protection and welfare, Congress spokesperson Dr Vikram Chaudhary said on Monday. Launching a scathing attack on Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav and the BJP government, Dr Chaudhary alleged that while the state reels under an unprecedented cattle crisis, the Chief Minister is busy performing Govardhan Puja events “to deceive the public with religious optics.”
He accused the government of exploiting cow protection for electoral gain while turning a blind eye to rampant smuggling, slaughter, and the pitiable state of cow shelters. Incidents of cattle trafficking, such as the April 2025 seizure of over 70 trucks carrying cattle on the Banswara-Ratlam border—allegedly under police escort—point to deep political complicity, Dr Chaudhary claimed. Reports from Chhatarpur, Dungarpur, and Barwani further revealed the involvement of local police in aiding smugglers.
Highlighting the government’s failure, he said that despite the Cattle Preservation and Promotion Act 2024 prescribing up to seven years’ imprisonment for offenders, enforcement remains virtually non-existent. Data from the 2025 livestock census shows a 43.76% decline in the cattle population over five years, while many cow shelters have turned into profit hubs plagued by corruption and neglect.
Dr Chaudhary also criticised the BJP’s decision to impose zero per cent GST on beef, calling it “a cruel joke that encourages slaughter while preaching devotion.” He demanded a special investigation committee to probe trafficking and killings, an audit of cow shelter funds, and immediate withdrawal of the GST exemption.
“The BJP worships cows for votes but abandons them in reality,” Dr Chaudhary said, reaffirming Congress’s commitment to genuine animal welfare and social responsibility.
