31-year-old soap unit in Punjab shuts down; 'Cow vigilante' groups to blame?

The increasing incidents of cow vigilantism and forced inspection of trucks and tankers on the highways has affected the soap manufacturing industry in Punjab.

According to an Indian Express report, this has forced the shutting down of a 31-year-old soap unit - the Anand Soap Manufacturing Co - in the state.

Eighteen tankers carrying buffalo tallow, an ingredient used in preparing soap, have been seized by the police in six months, the president of All-Punjab Soap Manufacturers' Association told IE.

Punjab's soap industry

• According to the report, there are 125 soap units in Punjab. And if the situation persists, more units may face closure.

• Almost all of these units use buffalo tallow as a key ingredient. Buffalo tallow is legally procured from slaughter houses.

• Soap manufacturers insist that buffalo tallow is used everywhere. Manufacturers say the claims of cow tallow being used for production are invalid.

• According to them, tallow gives the soap a better quality. Additionally, it costs less than vegetable oil.

The plight of manufacturers

• The owner of Anand Soap Manufacturing Co in Amritsar, which has been closed, told IE that the actions of cow protection groups had severely impacted their supply. He alleged the company also had to spend money on freeing the trucks.

• "I will not name any political party, but it is true that cow protection groups have become more active in the last one and a half years," Deepak Anand was quoted as saying.

• He also alleged that these vigilantes had, in the past, beaten up truck drivers and pressurised the police.