A scheme that combines two issues closest to the Sangh Parivar’s heart, the saffronisation of tribals and cow protection, has hit an unexpected hurdle — polythene.Under the scheme evolved by BJP Mayor Kailash Vijayvargai, stray cattle are rounded up and given to tribals in the adjoining districts of Indore at Rs 121 through RSS-backed Dharam Raksha Samitis. But there is a slight hitch. The polythene piling up in the stomach of these cows during their stay in Indore is leading to a high number of fatalities, a fact that is not going down well with the tribal beneficiaries.Badri Lal Solanki, a Bhilala tribal of Tapra, says: ‘‘In my village almost all the cattle that were distributed died. I have a calf that is alive, but just barely, and I can’t afford treatment. Nearly 50 kg of polythene was recovered from the stomach of each dead cattle. For me, this has been a loss of money I spent on buying the calf. The scheme has been of no benefit.’’ The same story is repeated in Malhera village where residents claim only one calf of the 14 distributed are alive.The Mayor says: ‘‘Our aim is not political. The scheme is aimed at awakening the swabhiman (self-pride) of tribals, at making them aware that they are Hindus and that their gods and goddesses are no different from Hindu gods and goddesses. I am not aware of the figures but polythene could be a factor in cattle deaths.’’The RSS-affiliated Sewa Bharti has also been active in these villages over the past two years. Veterinary extension officer T.K. Shinde says: ‘‘Last year, I observed the death of nearly 70 cattle due to polythene in their rumen. Once the accumulated polythene chokes the rumen, food cannot be ingested and the build-up of gases leads to the cow’s death.’’
