Former Rajasthan BJP MLA Gyandev Ahuja has sparked widespread outrage after linking the devastating Wayanad landslide in Kerala to cow slaughter. In an interview, Ahuja attributed the recent surge in natural disasters in the state, including landslides, floods, and earthquakes since 2018, to the killing of cows. He claimed that Kerala’s misfortunes were a consequence of “jahan gau vansh ki hatya hogi, jan gaaye ka khoon girega, wahan zalzale aayenge bhukamp ayenge toofaan ayenge [Tremors and earthquakes will happen in areas where cows are killed and their blood is spilt].”
Despite the tragic loss of life and the ongoing search and rescue efforts, Ahuja further fueled controversy by comparing the Wayanad landslide to cloudbursts in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, asserting that the death toll in Kerala was higher due to the state’s alleged sin of cow slaughter. He urged the Kerala government to cease cow slaughter, implying that natural disasters were a form of divine retribution for the act.
A massive landslide hit the Wayanad district on July 30, claiming over 200 lives and leaving more than 200 missing. The official death toll stands at around 220, with the recovery of 215 bodies, including 87 women, 98 men, and 30 children. Search and rescue operations, which began on July 30, have reached the final stages. Over 1,300 rescuers, heavy machinery, and sophisticated equipment are being deployed to locate survivors from the rubble. However, huge boulders and logs brought by the landslide pose a significant challenge to the rescue efforts.
Ahuja’s remarks have been widely condemned for their insensitivity and lack of scientific basis. The Kerala government and various political parties have denounced his statements, emphasizing that such tragedies require empathy and support, not blame and superstition. The incident underscores the need for responsible discourse and factual information in times of crisis, especially when dealing with sensitive issues.
