Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that even Mughals were aware that they could not rule India with open support to cow slaughter.
Taking a leaf out of History books, Union Home minister Rajnath Singh stressed on the need to protect cows in India, saying that even Mughals who ruled India between 16th and 18th century, were aware that they could not rule with open support to cow slaughter.
Mr Singh said, "Whatever little information I have about Mughal rulers... I can say that the Mughal rulers were aware of this fact. They understood that by killing cows and giving an open support to cow slaughter they cannot rule for a longer period.
The minister even quoted the founder of the Mughal dynasty, Babur, who came to India in 16th century. He said, "Even Babur, in his will, has written, we can't do two things at one time. Either rule the hearts of people or eat cow's meat. Only one thing can happen... They cannot be done together."
Speaking at a conference on conservation of cow, the 64-year-old said that the British failed to understand this aspect, which led to India's first war of independence.
"After the British came to India, the way Indian tradition had to be respected... it was not done. In fact, it became worse. One of the main reasons for the first war of Independence (1857) was cow fat which was used in cartridges. This shows the faith of people towards cow." Mr Singh said.
Some of the members attending the conference demanded a ban on cow slaughter. Other organisations like the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) too have been demanding a nationwide ban. The VHP is an affiliate of the BJP's ideological mentor, the RSS which heads the Sangh Parivar, an umbrella of Hindu nationalist organisations. States like Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra have banned cow slaughter.
When asked about the ban, Union Minister of State for Environment and Forest Prakash Javdekar said that it is a call which state governments need to take.