After conducting a signature campaign from the Panchayat level against the violation of the provisions of Orissa Freedom of Religious Act of 1967 and Orissa Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act, 1960, hundreds of sadhus from various temples, under the banner of Vishwa Hindu Parishad, urged the Chief Minister of Orissa Naveen Patnaik to immediately ban cow slaughter and stop religious conversion in the state. The activists said the illegal cattle trading and slaughtering are on the rise in the costal, western and southern parts of the State. They also alleged that the conversion activities by the missionaries have been increasing in the Vanvasi-dominated regions of the State. Swami Lakshmananda Saraswati of Chakapada informed that due to lack of political will, cases of cattle trade and cow slaughter are increasing day-by-day. (VISAKEO)
