Himachal Pradesh: Ex-CM Shanta Kumar urges temples to run cow shelters; cites stray cattle cause accidents

SHIMLA: Former chief minister Shanta Kumar on Sunday urged the Himachal Pradesh government to pass a law mandating that major temples in the state run cow shelters.Kumar, a former union minister, said that the rising population and increasing number of vehicles have made stray cattle on roads a serious concern.The move, he said, would help tackle the escalating issue of stray animals, which are “increasingly causing road accidents and loss of lives.”Kumar highlighted the wealth of key temples in Himachal Pradesh, stating that six major shrines — Mata Chintpurni, Mata Naina Devi, Mata Jwalamukhi, Mata Chamunda Devi, Mata Brajeshwari Devi (Kangra), and Baba Balak Nath Ji — together hold assets worth around Rs 2,000 crore, including Rs 85 crore in cash, Rs 300 crore in fixed deposits, Rs 500 crore in gold, and Rs 200 crore in silver."There are 36 temples under government control in the state, and all possess assets worth crores. If each major temple is given the legal responsibility to run a gaushala, Himachal could become the first state in the country where no stray cattle roam on the roads," Kumar said.He urged chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to take the “bold step of implementing this idea as a historic initiative"."This will not only solve the stray animal problem but also uphold the values of cow protection in Hinduism. Moreover, such a noble cause will enhance the temples' spiritual and social contribution," he added.