Haryana and Uttarakhand to now have 'certified' gau rakshaks

Haryana and Uttarakhand are in the process of handing out official identity cards to ‘genuine’ gau rakshaks The governments of the two states want to legalise gau rakshaks to reduce the number of violent incidents in the name of cow protection Around 275 people had applied for the post of gau rakshaks from nine districts

Gau Rakshaks and cow protection have been in the news for all the wrong reasons. And now two states will have certified gau rakshaks for the protection of cows in the state.

Haryana and Uttarakhand, both states with a Gau Sewa Aayog (Cow Care Commission), are in the process of handing out official identity cards to ‘genuine’ gau rakshaks.

Although gau rakshaks have no legal standing, the governments of the two states want to legalise gau rakshaks to reduce the number of violent incidents in the name of cow protection.

News18 reported Bhani Ram Mangla, chairman of the Haryana Gau Sewa Aayog, said,“We got a list of people who genuinely care about the protection of cows. Those names have been given to the police for verification. We have received reports from nine districts and are awaiting reports from others.”

The Aayog will also request the police to verify the background of the applicants.

Around 275 people had applied for the post of gau rakshaks from nine districts, Mangla said. Of them, 80 people have been selected who will have to undergo background verification for the police to ensure that they have never been involved in criminal activities.

In Uttarakhand, district collectors have been asked to take the help of Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) members to list potential gau rakshaks from 13 districts. SPCA director Narendra Rawat said that the identity cards of gau rakshaks would be linked to their Aadhaar cards making it easier to recognise them. However, unlike Haryana, the Uttarakhand government had not received any application since March when they had asked those interested to come forward. 

News 18 has also reported that most BJP-ruled states may get official gau rakshaks before Diwali.