The National Kamadhenu Commission (Rastriya Kamdhenu Aayog, RKA), which is responsible for the welfare of the sacred cow and its use for human benefit, issued a syllabus claiming that “Jesus Christ said that killing a cow is like killing a human being.”
The online syllabus is part of a plan the RKA to set up an online exam, to be launched on 25 February, centred on the cow with all sorts of information about the animal. The syllabus contains questions and answers, comments and explanations to help people prepare for the exam.
RKA chairman Vallabhbhai Kathiria explained that the exam is aimed mainly at students, and serves to spark curiosity about the importance of cattle, “raise awareness and educate” on the species’ traits, and learn about “cow science,” which can support the Indian economy, given the size of the stock: 194 million heads.
One section of the syllabus is titled “What famous people said about the cow.” One of the quotes, the one cited above, is attributed to Jesus Christ.
For Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC) president Sajan K George, the quote is a “half truth” and “a propaganda operation to pola-rise society along ethno-religious lines.”
The Jesus quote is not only false (no source is mentioned in the syllabus), but dangerous. “Tribal Christians have been lynched for skinning dead cows,” he explained.
What is more, “cow vigilantes” have targeted Muslims, tribal people and Dalits. “Any-one who eats beef could be crushed by anti-slaughter laws.”