Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Jun 9: Renowned Islamic orator, S B Darimi, asked Hindu Swamijis to identify the cows which they want to worship. He promised to spare such cows from being consumed as food.

Taking part in discussions held at Daijiworld TV debate on this issue, he said that there is no need to issue fresh fatwas against consuming the flesh of animals which have already died, and those which are stolen. He pointed out that the Prophet had specifically laid out strictures about these things through Holy Quran which was created 1,400 years back. On the issue of cow theft, he agreed that scores of people indulge in it, and that it is up to the government to frame proper laws.

Darimi said that if a law to ban cow slaughter is brought about, he will welcome it. "But for doing that, a strong willpower is needed. But people keep this issue alive in order to indulge in politics. No one is interested in finding a permanent solution to this issue. If they cannot do anything else on the issue, I request Hindu Swamijis to point out which are the cows which they treat as holy and worship them. I assure them that we will not consume such cows," he stated.

At the same time, he condemned the incident which happened at Charmadi. "It is shocking and has hurt us. We cannot tolerate such acts. If Bajrang Dal organizes protest condemning this incident, I will join them. I am prepared to deliver an address even if Bajrang Dal leaders invite me," he explained.

Darimi felt that cow has now become a political issue rather than religious. He said that there are political parties which want cows to get slaughtered and thefts to continue to happen as they strengthen their vote bank. "If they have honest willpower, the central government which has been formed by protectors of cows, should bring ban on cow slaughter. In such a case, we will accept it. But I can vouch for the fact that they will not enforce cow slaughter ban. It is not practicable in a country where agriculture dominates. There are Brahmins who sell their cows. They also seek Muslims to sell their cows. The cow itself is not a problem here. The real issue lies in indulging in politics in the name of cows," he felt.

He expressed the view that people of all religions should come together, hold discussions on the issue, and find a logical end to the issue. "We will not eat cows if the Swamijis identify cows they treat as holy and which they want to worship. There are other animals like bullocks, buffaloes etc which we eat. If cow slaughter is banned, we will eat poultry birds and goats. In Islam, eating of flesh is not a basic duty," he stated. He noted that theft is indulged in by people of all the religions, and that Islamic rules say that hands of those who steal should be chopped off.

Darimi said that there have been instances in which activists of certain organizations indulged in business in the name of protecting cows. "When Muslim name is attached, it becomes an issue for political benefit. Therefore, it has been turned into an agenda. Now these things are not relevant as their own government rules the country. It would be good if it bans cow slaughter at the earliest. Otherwise we may have to fight it out to see that justice is done to genuine devotees of cows," he added.