National animal status to cow: Former Babri Masjid litigant, Hindu seers welcome Jamiat chief's suggestion
Ayodhya, May 21
A day after Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind President, Maulana Syed Arshad Madani, suggested that cow should be given the status of 'national animal', former litigant in the Babri Masjid-Ram Janmabhoomi case Iqbal Ansari and Hindu seers welcomed the suggestion.
Speaking to IANS, Iqbal Ansari said: "If our Hindu neighbour calls the cow 'Gau Mata,' then it is our duty to do the same."
Regarding the upcoming Bakrid festival, he said: "Nowhere is there a mention about cows being sacrificed, and it should not take place either, because Allah and the Prophet have prohibited it."
About 'qurbani (ritualistic sacrifice)', he said that those animals which have been prohibited by law from being sacrificed, should not be used for 'qurbani'. "We will follow the law," he asserted.
Ansari further said that 'qurbani' of the cow is not legitimate. Moreover, he urged Muslims to give up eating beef.
"I appeal to the government to declare cow as the national animal of India," he said.
According to Mahant Deveshacharya Maharaj of Siddh Peeth Hanuman Garhi, 'Gau Mata' is the backbone of 'Sanatan Dharma' and holds the highest respect in the Sanatan tradition.
He asserted that as per the Sanatan tradition, no worship can take place without the 'Panchagavya' (five elements) of the cow.
The Hindu seer highlighted that despite this, cows are slaughtered and alleged that "Hindus are teased".
"Such things won't be tolerated at all," he told IANS.
Deveshacharya Maharaj also urged the Centre, along with the state governments and members of the Hindu community, to accept cow as the national animal.
Echoing a similar view, Arya Sant Varun Das Maharaj said: "Muslims of the country themselves should come forward and support this step. Not even a single drop of cow's blood should be shed on the land of India."
Referring to the Sepoy Mutiny, he said: "A wave of revolution started in 1857 when Mangal Pandey came to know that the cartridges used in guns, which had to be opened with teeth, were greased with cow fat and pig fat."
He added that the cow has an important role and that the animal is considered another form of the Earth itself.
Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust Coordinator, Sharad Sharma, asserted that there is no other animal that can receive the status of a mother.
Moreover, Sharma urged for the strict implementation of a nationwide law which will prohibit cow slaughter.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Beautiful sentiment, but I worry about the legal implications. India's national animal is already the tiger. Changing it to the cow would require a constitutional amendment. Also, we must ensure this doesn't lead to more cow vigilante violence against minorities.
Finally, some sane voices! Ansari ji is absolutely right - nowhere in Islamic texts is cow sacrifice mandated. This is about our shared heritage. Jai Gau Mata! 🙏🐄
I appreciate the sentiment but this seems like a distraction from real issues like unemployment, inflation, and farmer protests. National symbols don't put food on the table. Plus, many tribal communities depend on cattle for their livelihood.
Wonderful to see Maulana Madani and Hindu seers coming together! This is the true spirit of India - unity in diversity. Bakrid without cow sacrifice makes perfect sense if it's not religiously required. Let's focus on what unites us. ✨
While I respect the religious sentiment, making the cow the national animal could be seen as favoring one religion over others. India is a secular country. Better to keep the tiger and focus on protecting all animals from cruelty through proper laws.
V Vikram M Ek hi Bharat We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.