Allahabad High Court Advocates For Declaration Of Cows As National Animal

PRAYAGRAJ: In a major statement apparently aimed at glorifying and honouring cows, the Allahabad high court has advocated that cows should be declared as the national animal of India.

A single-judge bench of Justice Shekhar Yadav said cows have a long history in Indian culture and that the Centre should come up with framing regulations for their protection across the country. The government should place a bill in Parliament so that cows get fundamental rights. Also strict laws should be made for punishment of those who are found harming the animal. Cows should be declared as the national animal of the country, Yadav said.

The high court made the observation in connection with a hearing at the court regarding the bail plea of a man who was arrested under the Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act. The court rejected the bail of the arrested man and made the statement advocating for "national animal" status to cows.

The court mentioned that cows have found mention in India's ancient texts like the Vedas and the Mahabharata which define the culture of India and for which the country is known. It stressed that the central government should take the issue with importance and take appropriate initiatives so that fundamental rights to cows are ensured.

It may be mentioned that the Assam government had passed a bill (Assam Cattle Preservation Bill) last month as per which slaughtering of cows in areas predominantly inhabited by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and other non-beef eating communities or in places that fall within five-kilometre radius of a temple, xatra and any other institution as may prescribed by the authorities is prohibited.

Also Read: Rajiv Gandhi National Park To Be Renamed As Orang National Park

Also Watch: