Alleged Attack on Cow Shelter by BRS MLA and Followers Sparks Controversy

Hyderabad: Kamadhenu Gowshala and Foundation, a city-based organisation which rescues and rehabilitates cows, has accused BRS Patancheru MLA Gudem Mahipal Reddy and his followers of attacking and taking over the gowshala to usurp a 3.5-acre parcel of land on which it sits, in Dontanpally village in Shankarpally mandal in Ranga Reddy district.

In a series of tweets on Friday, the gowshala said, "Our pandit ji Seshkant Mishra (was) kicked and beaten, 750 cows (are) being forcefully shifted, how sevaks terrorised and thrown out with MLA's help (sic)."

Despite a High Court order to protect the gowshala and a ten-year lease with a civil case pending in court, the landowner Konda Buchi Reddy and his associates with the help of MLA, and in collusion with Ranga Reddy collector, had found a way to usurp the Gowshala under the pretext of taking care of the well-being of cows, the gowshala management alleged.

The gowshala said it was one of the best maintained and had 300 cows when it began in June 2021. The number has gone up to 750 following missions to rescue cows. Despite this, the gowshala alleged, the district collector “unjustly facilitated mafia, ignoring our proofs and requests not to take any coercive action without notice.”

It alleged that MLA Mahipal Reddy had conducted a recce with his associates and Buchi Reddy by trespassing into the gowshala at 8 am on July 5. The next day, at 6 am, they invaded the gowshala, disconnected the CCTV cameras, held the Seshkant Mishra and staff hostage and snatched the mobilephones of the staff. After this, the gang allegedly destroyed sheds and drinking water troughs built for the cows.

MLA Mahipal Reddy denied these allegations. Speaking to this newspaper, the MLA claimed, "I have nothing to do with this issue. The animal husbandry department conducted inspection and submitted a report to the Ranga Reddy district collector that they are not taking care of cows properly.”

“These cows were shifted to the gowshala in Beeramguda. It was done as per the directions of the collector, RDO and MRO. The landlord sought to take back land with the shifting of cows. I am ready for any inquiry on this issue. It's not proper to level baseless allegations. I will initiate legal action against this foundation for damaging my reputation by levelling false allegations."