The Gujarat Gau Seva Ayog, on Thursday, announced its decision to prepare a dossier on gau rakshaks (cow protectors) and said it is considering giving them validated identity cards, The Times of India reported. They also announced an awareness drive to prevent deaths of cows caused by ingestion of plastic. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticised “self proclaimed gau rakshaks that have opened shop in the name of cow protection” in the country. He also said that 80% of gau rakshaks were “fake and anti-social elements”.

Dr Vallabh Kathiria, former Union Minister and chairperson of Gujarat Gau Seva Ayog, said the commission is mulling over ordering police verification of gau rakshaks, besides the ID cards for those working with reputed cow welfare organisations.

On Wednesday, the Haryana cow commission had decided to issue identity cards to cow protectors, following police inputs about fake cow vigilantes extorting money from truckers, The Indian Express reported. However, the Punjab Gau Sewa Commission, on the other hand has refused to intervene in the process of identification. It said the process may not be transparent and will worsen the situation.