LUCKNOW: Senior minister in Akhilesh cabinet Azam Khan has questioned the article published in the latest edition of the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) mouthpiece Panchjanya which states that Vedas order killing of sinners who kill cows.

"The write-up clearly reflects the divisive ideology of the RSS. It says that India is an undeclared Hindu nation and those trying to hurt the sentiments of the Hindus will have to pay with their life," Azam said on Sunday. The statement follows media reports on Panchjanya article 'Is Utpat ke Us paar' (The other side of this disturbance)' which says Vedas order killing of the sinner who kills a cow. It is a matter of life and death for many.

Azam has also demanded the Haryana and Punjab governments to ban trade and markets of animals whose slaughter is prohibited. The demand of ban comes a day after the Shiromani Akali Dal, a trusted BJP ally and partner in governments at the Centre and in Punjab, described the Dadri lynching as shameful and warned the BJP that "fringe elements" were hurting its credibility with "irresponsible utterances" that would undo the "good work".

Condemning the recent incident in Himachal Pradesh were a man was lynched alleged cow smuggling, Azam said it was shameful that people who are involved in trade of bovines were being provided land to holding markets while those transporting them were being singled out and killed.