Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (MS)

Bengaluru, Jan 10: "If you want to ban cow slaughter, ban it throughout the country. First you put an end to export and import of beef. BJP members have never lifted cowdung or cleaned it but claim to worship Gomatha. BJP supporters themselves are involved in beef export. The BJP government is the worst we ever had," said former chief minister and leader of opposition Siddaramaiah. He also warned the state government that his party would descend on the roads and protest against the anti-people policies of the state BJP government.

Siddaramaiah further said, "We will fight soon against the anti-people policies of BJP government. This year is a year of movement. We will fight against the government. We have party programmes till January 18. Later we will discuss in the party and make a decision. We are ready to go to prison too but first we will fight."

A booklet listing five 'anti-people' policies of the BJP government was released at the residence of Siddaramaiah on Sunday, January 10.

Speaking to the scribes after the release of the book, Siddaramaiah said, "The BJP government has implemented five acts. We have brought out a book, which gives the truth and false of the acts. This book contains the pros and cons of amendment to APMC act, amendment to land reform act, anti-cow slaughter act 2020, amendment to essential commodities act, agreement with farmers on MSP for agriculture price and agricultural services act 2020.

"APMC will get extinct gradually. The intention of BJP is to do away with APMC. They are saying that under the land reform act anyone can do agriculture and buy land. Devaraj Urs implemented an amendment to land reform act and made the tiller as the owner of the land. Thousands of poor farmers became land owners because of that. Now BJP has made an amendment to the act. Now they have made it easy for anyone to buy agricultural land.

"As per the new act people like Adani also can buy agricultural land. This is like opening the floodgates. Due to this, small farmers will sell their land and go to work under multinationals. Now the act is saying that those who have are the owners of the land. This is very dangerous. Agricultural land will be used for real estate and entertainment purposes. I did not give opportunity to buy land for non-agriculturists. But BJP leaders are making false propaganda that I was about to make amendment to 79-a and b of the act. They are spreading lies. I made non-agricultural income of Rs 25 lac. But BJP is blatantly lying. All these things are included in this book.

"We have clarified our stand, as opposition party, on the acts brought about by BJP. Special ordinance is brought only when there is emergency and urgency. But the BJP government is passing all acts through ordinance. Thereby it is planning to destroy the farmers. Government has implemented an anti-cow slaughter act. Those who never lifted the cow dung or cleaned cow sheds are talking about cows. What needs to be done about the cows that are aged? If the oxen cannot be used, what needs to be done about them? They are saying that if we give our cows to Goshalas, then we have to pay money also. One cow consumes seven kg of fodder. The cost for that will be Rs 100 per day. If they want to ban cow slaughter, then let them do it throughout the country. First stop exporting and importing beef. That beef is not God or what?

"I used to see the face of the cow first thing in the morning. Our father and mother used to teach this to us. BJP party members who have not done this are speaking about cows. The BJP government has implemented an anti-cow slaughter act. We are the real worshippers of cows. We used to see the face of oxen as soon as we got up when we were children. Our elders had taught this to us. They taught us that we should see the face of the ox or Sun as soon as we get up. Our elder brother used to keep ox at home, take care of it and sell it in the fair. Now Rs two lac is required to buy a pair of oxen. Any cattle becomes old when it attains the age of 12. It becomes difficult to rear the old cow that does not produce a calf.

"BJP members are the worst people. Their government is the worst. Their policy is that they should eat without working for it. They only export beef. Financial situation of village farmers will be severely affected due to the anti-cow slaughter act. In addition, the leather industry will also get affected. Narendra Modi does not speak about gas and petrol. Before BJP attained power, cooking gas was available for Rs 300 now it has crossed Rs 700.

"When I implemented the 'Shaadi Bhagya' scheme, Yediyurappa had objected. Now he is doing the same to Brahmins. But I have not objected to it. I am saying that the government should give that scheme to all poor people," he said.