DHAKA: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has criticized vigilantes who portray themselves as protectors of cows - an animal considered sacred by Hindus.

Modi, a Hindu nationalist, said such people made him ‘angry’, and any such attacks must be investigated, reports the BBC.

He had been criticized for saying nothing about a public flogging last month of low-caste men by vigilantes.

The self-styled cow defenders accused the four men from the Dalit caste of harming cattle.

The victims insisted they were taking a cow’s carcass for skinning, as was their tradition.

Also in July, two Muslim women were beaten up by vigilantes over accusations that they had been carrying beef.

Speaking in the capital Delhi on Saturday, Modi said he would ask state governments across India to investigate anyone linked to such vigilante attacks.

He said he believed “70-80% of them will turn out to be people who are involved in anti-social activities and masquerade as cow protectors to save themselves”.

BDST: 1329 HRS, AUG 07, 2016
RR