Team Goemkarponn
QUEPEM: More than a month after the alleged demolition of the Dhyan Foundation (DF) Gaushala at Deosa, Zambaulim, by a mob of around 150 people on July 22, 2026, concerns have been raised over the safety and welfare of cattle that were housed at the facility.
According to DF, 304 cattle were housed at the gaushala at the time of the incident. Following the demolition, 171 cattle reportedly escaped into the surrounding jungles, while around 100 were shifted by government authorities to another gaushala. Some cattle subsequently returned or were brought back to the site.
An FIR has been registered at Quepem Police Station against Manjunath Dukle, Pravas Naik, former international trustee of AOL Rammanna and Datta Gaokar. Rammanna has been granted bail, while the anticipatory bail applications of Manjunath Dukle and Datta Gaokar are listed before the Sessions Court on September 3. DF’s intervention application has also been allowed by the Sessions Court.
Meanwhile, the High Court has permitted DF to inspect the cattle forcibly relocated by the authorities and directed the State Government to provide DF with the report on the basis of which the cattle were ordered to be shifted within a period of 12 hours.
The court has also permitted DF to submit a representation seeking the return of its cattle once it acquires suitable land. The State Government is required to take a decision on the representation within four weeks.
DF has clarified that the High Court’s decision does not favour Manjunath Dukle or his associates, alleging that they are misleading the public by claiming otherwise.
The foundation has also raised concerns over the manner in which the cattle were transported, alleging that vehicles unsuitable for cattle transportation under the applicable Transport of Animals Rules were used, resulting in cruelty to the animals. During the shifting operation, the supervising Veterinary Officer reportedly stated that the animals were “state property”.
DF has now been called upon by authorities to take responsibility for cattle that escaped during the demolition and are currently roaming on the streets of Quepem.
The Veterinary Officer, Quepem, has cited concerns relating to public safety, traffic, animal welfare, veterinary care and public health. According to the officer, unattended cattle on public roads pose serious risks, particularly at night, including accidents, injuries and death of cattle as well as potential loss of human life.
The Quepem Municipal Council has called DF representatives for a meeting on September 3 to discuss the issue.
DF has pointed out that its existing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the council provides for the impounding of stray cattle, subject to availability of space in gaushalas and disbursement of grant-in-aid. The foundation claims it has not received grant-in-aid since April 2023 for rescued cattle and since April 2024 for cattle added to the scheme.
DF said it had constructed temporary sheds at Deosa with an NOC from Shree Ramnath Damodar Devasthan, Zambaulim, specifically to accommodate rescued cattle when existing gaushalas lacked capacity, particularly during the monsoon when adequate shelter was considered essential for the animals.
With the temporary sheds destroyed, DF says it currently has no facility at Deosa to accommodate the cattle.
The foundation has repeatedly raised the need for dedicated land for a gaushala before the Animal Welfare Board and local authorities and has submitted several written representations. It had also sought permission to shift around 500 cattle to its gaushala in Hubli but claims that no response was received.
DF is now pursuing the purchase of suitable land for a gaushala. Once the facility is secured, the foundation intends to approach the State Government seeking the return of its cattle.
The foundation is also considering filing another police complaint concerning the alleged consequences of the demolition for the safety, health and welfare of the cattle, as well as risks to the wider public.
The developments have brought renewed attention to the responsibility of authorities, civic bodies and animal welfare organisations in ensuring that rescued cattle have adequate shelter and that cattle roaming on public roads do not pose risks to either animals or people.
