Cow should be declared as ‘National Animal’ & given ‘Fundamental Rights’: Allahabad High Court

Sept 1: Cow is part of India’s culture, should be given fundamental rights and declared national animal, observed the Allahabad High Court on Wednesday while denying bail to a person charged under the Uttar Pradesh Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act. Single judge Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav said that the Centre should bring a bill in Parliament to declare the cow as a national animal and bestow upon it fundamental rights. He also said that strict laws should be framed for those who harm cows.

The bail plea was moved by one Javed who was charged under Sections 3, 5 and 8 of the Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act. While denying bail to the applicant, the court remarked that India is the only country in the world where people of different religions live, who may worship differently but their thinking is the same for the country.

Allahabad HC said that the cow is a useful animal and that even when she is sick “no one can be given the right to kill her”. Justice Yadav also stated that the importance of cows was not only understood by Hindus, but also Muslims. According to the Bar and bench, the court in its order also said, “Jab gaaye ka kalyaan hoga, tabhi desh ka kalyaan hoga (only if cow is revered, country will prosper).”