New Delhi, September 11: Hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi jabbed a section of political rivals by accusing them of being ostracising the words "cow and Om", Hyderabad lawmaker Asaduddin Owaisi issued a sharp retort. The AIMIM chief said everyone should respect the Hindu sentiments associated with the bovine animal, but added that right to equality and life of human beings, as enshrined in the Constitution, should be equally respected. Modi Launches National Animal Disease Control Programme And ‘Swachhta Hi Seva’ in Mathura.

Owaisi, a consistent critic of the Modi-led government at the Centre, was veiledly referring to the spate of mob lynchings being reported in the nation over the last five years. In majority of the cases, the victims were killed by a frenzied mob on suspicion of consuming or transporting beef.

"Cow is a sacred animal for our Hindu brothers but in Constitution, right to life and equality has been given to humans. I hope PM will keep it in mind," the Lok Sabha MP said.

What Asaduddin Owaisi Said:

Modi, while launching the National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP), said he is disappointed with some people creating a taboo around the words cow and Om. "When some people hear the words Om and cow, they scream that the country is back to the 16th century. Such people are only destroying the nation," Modi said in Mathura earlier today.

Meanwhile, the NADCP mission is intended to eliminate the Foot and Mouth Disease and Brucellosis in livestock from Mathura. "With 100 percent funding from the Central Government of Rs 12,652 Crores for a period of five years till 2024, the programme aims at vaccinating over 500 Million Livestock against the Foot and Mouth Disease," he said.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 11, 2019 05:14 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).