Jaipur, Jul 26 (IANS): Like cow smugglers, the Rajasthan Police is also responsible for the rise in cases of cow smuggling and consequent incidents of mob lynching, a state Minister has said.

"Had policemen been honest and responsible, neither Pehlu Khan nor Rakbar Khan would have died," said Rajasthan Labour Minister Jaswant Singh Yadav while talking to the media on the sidelines of a two-day district level Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) meeting held in Behrod on Wednesday.

He also stood by the statement he issued earlier calling upon the minority community to "stop consuming beef" to respect the sentiments of Hindus and to "keep away from cow smuggling".

According to Yadav, incidents of mob lynching and cow smuggling are increasing as the police have failed to do their duty in a responsible manner.

"The incidents of mob lynching of cow smugglers cannot be stopped without police's cooperation," said the Minister.

While condemning the incidents of mob lynching, Yadav also said that all religions should respect the sentiments of Hindus and work for the protection of cows.

"This will help in promoting communal harmony and cases of cow smuggling will eventually be checked," he added.