‘The cow is plainly an animal. To regard as a deity an animal… is an insult not merely to humanity but to the very concept of divinity,’ wrote Vinayak Damodar Savarkar in his book
PUNE — Hindutva ideologue and an icon for Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, viewed the cow as a “useful animal” and opposed its worship as a deity.
This was stated by his grandnephew, Satyaki Savarkar, before a special MP/MLA court in Pune during the ongoing criminal defamation trial against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
Satyaki Savarkar made the statement on Tuesday while being cross-examined by Gandhi’s lawyer, Advocate Milind Pawar. The cross-examination relates to Gandhi’s alleged remarks about V D Savarkar during a speech in London in March 2023.
What the Book Says
During the hearing, Gandhi’s counsel produced a copy of Vidnyan-Nishtha Nibandh (Essays Based on Scientific Temperament), a collection of essays written by V D Savarkar. Satyaki Savarkar acknowledged that the book was authored by his grand-uncle and accepted its contents.
In the book, Savarkar argues that the cow should be protected because of its utility to humans, not because it is divine. He wrote: “The cow is plainly an animal. To regard as a deity an animal… is an insult not merely to humanity but to the very concept of divinity.”
Satyaki Savarkar admitted in court that Savarkar had compared the utility of cows to that of dogs, horses and donkeys, arguing that all such animals deserve protection but not worship.
The book also criticises the practice of treating cow dung and cow urine as sacred. Savarkar questioned the religious practice of consuming gau mutra and gobar, stating they could be used for medicinal or agricultural purposes where appropriate, but should not be considered acts of religious merit.
He argued that the term “Gaumata” could be understood as a symbolic expression of gratitude, but should not be taken literally. He also criticised popular depictions showing 33 crore Hindu deities residing inside the body of a cow, calling such beliefs irrational and harmful to religion itself.
Scientific Approach to Cow Protection
Savarkar advocated a scientific and practical approach to cattle welfare. He urged organisations working for cow protection to focus on breeding healthier cattle, increasing milk yield, and improving livestock through modern veterinary science and animal husbandry.
Citing the example of the United States, he wrote that the US had better cattle management and higher milk production despite not worshipping the cow.
He also argued that if a cow ceased to be useful under certain circumstances, its slaughter could become necessary, and that practical and economic considerations, rather than religious sentiment, should guide state policy on cattle.
Background of the Case
The criminal defamation case against Rahul Gandhi was filed by Satyaki Savarkar in April 2023 before the court of Judicial Magistrate (First Class) in Pune, which is designated to hear cases against MPs and MLAs.
In his complaint, Satyaki Savarkar alleged that Rahul Gandhi, during his address to the Indian diaspora in London on March 5, 2023, had falsely claimed that V D Savarkar had written in his book that he and a group of friends had once assaulted a Muslim man and felt happy about it. Satyaki has contended that no such incident or passage exists in any of Savarkar’s writings and that the statement was made with malicious intent to defame Savarkar.
The case has been filed under Section 500 of the Indian Penal Code, which deals with criminal defamation. The court took cognizance of the complaint and issued a summons to Gandhi.
Rahul Gandhi has denied the charges. The cross-examination of the complainant is currently underway.
