The Rajasthan high court on Wednesday suggests the Centre to declare cow as the national animal of India. The recommendation comes as a number of states in the nation are protesting the government’s move to impose ban on the slaughter of cattle, mainly cows, for commercial purposes.
Presently, the tiger is the national animal of the country. The court made suggestion while hearing a PIL by an organization that sought steps for the safety of cows.
“Keeping in mind Articles 48 and 51A(g) of the Constitution and to provide legal entity for their proper protection and conservation of cow, it is expected from the government that cow is declared a national animal,” Justice Mahesh Chandra Sharma said in a 145-page order.
The suggestions also come a day after the Madras HC stayed Centre’s ruling of banning sale and purchase of cattle.
Along with non-BJP parties, the governments of Kerala, West Bengal and Puducherry have opposed the move. This also led to violent protests at IIT Madras campus where some students organized ‘beef fests’. Similar protests have been organised in Kerala too.
The new rules by the Union environment ministry banned the sale or purchase of bulls, cows, camels for slaughter houses or for sacrifice for religious purpose.
