UP Elections 2022 | 'Some people have made talking about cows a crime': PM in Varanasi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday hit out at those criticising his govt's cattle welfare policies and schemes and said that some people have made talking about cows a crime.

'For some, speaking about cows must be a crime, but for us, cows are respected as mothers,' PM said.

'Those making jokes on cows, buffaloes forget livelihood of crores depend on them,' he added.

The PM made the remarks while laying the foundation stone for a dairy project in Varanasi

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday inaugurated and laid the foundation of 27 projects worth ₹2095 crore in his parliamentary constituency.

He laid the foundation stone of the Banas Dairy Sankul at a UP State Industrial Development Authority food park in Varanasi. He also digitally transferred ₹35-crore bonuses to the bank accounts of more than 1.7 lakh milk producers associated with Banas Dairy.

Speaking about development in the dairy sector, PM said that milk production in India has increased by about 45% as compared to the last 6-7 yrs and the country produces about 22% of the world's milk.

He also added that UP is not only the largest milk producing state in the country, it's also ahead in expansion of dairy sector.

This is Modi's second visit to his constituency in 10 days. He was here on December 13 to inaugurate the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor.