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VARANASI: At a time when many Bollywood celebrities and politicians have criticized the ban on beef and cow slaughter, a Muslim ’Gau bhakt’ (cow activist) from Raipur (Chhattisgarh) Mohammed Faiz Khan is in temple town Varanasi to spread the message of cow protection through a series of ’Gau katha’.
 
A firm believer in Islam Faiz has been advocating for cow rearing and conservation through lectures at different places for last two years after leaving the job of a lecturer.
 
"Cow is not only the mother Hindus, but, according to Veda she is the mother of all (vishwa mata)," said the 34-year-old preacher. He has so far delivered about 200 lectures on cow’s importance in schools and other institutions and has held 15 Gau Katha in various states including Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh.
 
For many people it was surprising to see a Muslim in saffron with an idol made of the cow dung speaking about cow’s significance for mankind and appealing for protection of cows. "It is unique and first of its kind happening in the city," said Rupesh Pandey, who was looking after arrangements for the three-day Gau Katha that began on the banks of the Ganga at Assi Ghat on Monday.
 
Shankaracharya of Jyotish and Dwarka Shada Peeth Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati also appreciated Faiz for spreading the message of cow protection. "He is doing a good work and it should be appreciated," said the seer.
 
"A novel ’Ek Gai ki Atmakatha’ authored by Girish Pankaj inspired me to dedicate my life for the cause of Gau mata," said Faiz, who lost his father at a tender age of 10 and mother at 13. Instead of going to madarsa he received his primary education in Saraswati Shishu Mandir in Raipur, and did MA in Hindi and political science. After teaching at a government college for two years he left the job and set on a journey to save cows.
 
"Whatever ’dakshina’ I receive from people I spend it to serve cows and my mission," he said while talking to TOI. It is unfortunate and immature to link beef eating with secularism, he said further adding that it is not good to oppose ban on cow slaughter just for appeasement.
 
Jagadguru Ramananadacharya Swami Ramnareshacharya also came to Assi Ghat from his math at Panchganga Ghat to attend the Gau Katha. "It is heartening to see and listen the Gau Katha from Faiz," he said.