Cow vigilante groups in Uttar Pradesh got an unexpected shot in the arm on Friday when a group of Shia Muslims announced the formation of the Shia Gau Raksha Dal in the state’s capital to spread awareness against eating beef. The group aims at combating cow slaughter not only in UP but also in other parts of the country. Uttar Pradesh is one of the 22 states in India where cow slaughter is banned. “Our group will work across India to make efforts to check cow slaughter,” said Shamil Shamsi, president of Shia Gau Raksha Dal and the owner of an eatery specialising in Awadhi cuisines. “There are many localities in the state where cow slaughter is still in practice.

Source: Hindustan Times April 08, 2017 10:41 UTC