1966 anti-cow slaughter agitation

In 1966, Hindu organisations agitated to demand a ban on the slaughter of cows in India, as enshrined in the Directive Principles of State Policy in the Constitution of India. Among others, the Shankaracharya fasted for the cause. The agitation culminated in a massive demonstration outside Sansad Bhavan in New Delhi on 7 November 1966 (as per Hindu Panchang, Vikram Samvat, Kartik Shukla Ashtami, famously known as Gopashtami among Hindus).[1]

The Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi did not accept the demand for a ban on cow slaughtering. A mob of 10,000 advocates against cow slaughter, led by Hindu holymen tried to storm the parliament, but were prevented.[2] The mob then rampaged through the capital city. A 48-hour curfew was ordered, all the meetings were banned.[1] The Mob also attacked the then congress president Kamaraj's Delhi residence and set it on fire. Many died in police firing to control the crowd.[3]

The Home minister, Gulzarilal Nanda, resigned, taking responsibility for the administration's failure to maintain law and order. The Shankracharya Niranjandev Tirth, Swami Karpatri and Mahatma Ramchandra Veer observing a fast for killing of sadhus. Mahatma Ramchandra Veer observing 166 days longtime fast at that time.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "The Spokesman-Review - Google News Archive Search". news.google.com. 8 November 1966. Retrieved 2017-04-05.
  2. ↑ "Looking back: The first Parliament attack took place in 1966 – and was carried out by gau rakshaks".
  3. ↑ "Samithi wants cow-slaughter ban all over". The Hindu. 8 November 2011. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
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