Chandigarh: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Chandigarh President Vijaypal Singh expressed deep sorrow and outrage over the death of a large number of cows and calves at the cowshed in Raipur Kalan (Makhan Majra area). He said that as soon as he received information about this serious incident, he immediately canceled all his personal engagements. He even canceled his pre-scheduled doctor's appointment, prioritizing cow service, and immediately rushed to the cowshed.

Upon reaching the cowshed, he saw that numerous cows and calves had already died. Many of the dead cows had their eyes gouged out and body parts missing, which not only exposes the gross negligence of the administration but also their inhumane insensitivity.

During this time, a large number of Aam Aadmi Party workers and leaders also reached the spot, including SC Cell President Desraj Sanawar, Vijay, Shadab Rathi from the Minority Cell, Councilor Prem Lata, and Satpal Ji from Ward 8.  Loud slogans were raised against the BJP Mayor and the BJP-led administration in the cowshed premises: "BJP Mayor Down, Down," "BJP Administration Down, Down."

Most surprisingly, Vijaypal Singh remained at the cowshed for more than three hours, but despite repeated requests, not a single veterinarian arrived to examine the condition of the cows. He said that it was an extremely painful sight for him to see the dead cows being lifted by a crane and dumped into large pits.

He also revealed that the special sanitation plant at the cowshed, which runs on gas and was recently installed, was also lying defunct. Moreover, even the gas cylinders connected to it had been sold off.  It was also learned that 27 cow service workers had been recruited, but where were they, or were they only on paper? 
This is clear evidence of open corruption and gross negligence. Vijaypal Singh reminded everyone that some time ago, eight cows died in Maloya due to electrocution, but the administration learned no lesson from that incident, resulting in today's massive tragedy.

He alleged that BJP Mayor Harpreet Kaur Babla was seen fleeing the scene and avoiding the crowd instead of taking responsibility for such a major incident. He said that when such a large number of cows died, the administration not only failed to take responsibility but also showed no sensitivity.

Vijaypal Singh raised serious questions, asking how it was possible that no official was aware of the incident, which continued throughout the night?
Where were the CCTV cameras at the cow shelter?
Where were the security personnel on night duty?

He clearly stated that this was not a simple oversight, but a complete failure of the entire security system and administrative oversight.

Attacking the BJP government directly, he said that this is not just negligence, but an open scam involving public money in the name of cow protection.
He said that the Manimajra 24x7 water project, the Manimajra land scam, and now the cow shelter incident all prove that this BJP government has become a government of scams, and it is the most corrupt BJP-led mayoral government in Chandigarh's history.

He reminded everyone that the Raipur Kalan cow shelter was inaugurated in May 2023 by Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and was promoted as a model cow shelter. The same cow shelter, which has a capacity of approximately 1,000 cows and on which ?6.4 crore was spent, has now become a symbol of tragedy.

He also raised serious questions regarding the cow cess (cow welfare tax). He stated that in the financial year 2022-23, the Municipal Corporation collected approximately ?20.25 crore in cow cess, while in the financial year 2024-25, it is estimated to be around ?2.89 crore, while the annual cow welfare expenditure is reported to be around ?12.64 crore. 
He asked where the crores of rupees collected in the name of cow protection had gone, because on the ground, there was neither sufficient fodder, nor medical facilities, nor proper monitoring. Instead, only carcasses of cows were visible, a testament to the complete failure of the system.

Vijaypal Singh directly accused the BJP and its local leaders, saying that only pretense and politics were being played in the name of cow protection, while in reality, cows were dying from hunger, disease, and neglect.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) demands an immediate independent and impartial investigation into the entire matter, a complete audit of the cow cess and the cow shelter project to be made public, and strict action against the officials and agencies whose negligence led to the death of such a large number of cows.

Vijaypal Singh said in strong words:
“BJP leaders sing Vande Mataram in the Municipal House,
but in the name of that very Vande Mataram,
Chandigarh's garbage is being loaded into tipper trucks and dumped in Punjab.

This is the same BJP,
which steals the slogan of Vande Mataram,
steals the garbage from the land,
takes the lives of mother cows,
and even steals the fodder meant for the cows.

For the BJP, Vande Mataram is just a slogan,
cow protection is just a show, and public money is just a means of plunder.

This government has become a government of theft in everything –
Vande Mataram, garbage, cow slaughter, and cow fodder.”

He warned that if the administration did not take concrete steps immediately, this issue would be raised from the streets to the courts.
He said, “Cows cannot speak for themselves, and the Aam Aadmi Party will be their voice.”