This Wednesday, the Rajasthan high court issued a bizarre recommendation in response to a petition filed regarding the infamous Hingonia case that resulted in tragic death of thousands of cows. The court recommended both center and the state governments to declare cow as the national animal of India. Mahesh Chandra Sharma, the hearing judge in Hingonia gaushala case made this recommendation. The original petition of the case Poonam Chand Bhandari was surprised by the recent developments, as Sharma’s original verdict in his case didn’t highlight this face.
The Roots of the Rajasthan HC’s Recommendations Trace back to Hingonia Cow Shelter…
For those who don’t know, cows have always been controversial animals in the history of Rajasthan. Regardless of Rajasthan being the only state in India to have its own cow minister, around 8,122 cows died from January 1 to July 31 in Hingonia, which the government claims to be the best cow shelter in Asia. Accidental injuries, ill-health and mismanagement by staff were prime reasons behind untimely death of cows. Though there were 24 livestock assistants, 14 veterinarians and 200 staff at Hingonia, they clearly failed to maintain cows in proper state.
Earlier, the laws stated three years imprisonment for illegal cow slaughter. If Modi government declares cow as the national animal of India, anyone involved in illegal slaughtering of cows will be sentenced to lifetime imprisonment—a steep escalation from previous laws.
The judge directed Rajasthan chief secretary to coordinate with the Center in this matter. Quoting Nepal as an example where cow is the national animal, Justice Sharma advised Rajasthan government to take a firm stand in order to get a legal entity for cows at national level. Addressing NDTV reporters, Justice Sharma accepted that his 20-point recommendations submitted in the court were ‘the voice of his soul’, guided by his ardent belief in Lord Shiva—the powerful Hindu deity who reveres cows.
This peculiar recommendation came at a time when states like West Bengal, Kerala and Tamil Nadu refused to ban cow slaughter in their states, claiming that it was a violation of an individual’s right to choice of food. Seeing the escalating number of cow smuggling and slaughter, the Center used animal cruelty laws to curb illegal transportation and killing of cattle in all states. It didn’t sit well with most chief ministers, who saw it as Center’s interference in a state’s power to frame its own local laws.
How did People React to It?
Rajasthan high court bench specifically directed the municipal commissioners and UDH secretaries to visit all cowsheds on a monthly basis. They’re expected to submit a progress report on cows every three months. The court further instructed the forest department to plant at least 5,000 plants in and around cowsheds every year.
- Critics
This recommendation came at a time when alleged ‘gau rakshaks’ or cow vigilantes are actively causing violence in the name of cow vigilance all over the country. Just last month, a 55-year-old cattle trade named Pehlu Khan and his team was attacked by gau rakshaks. Khan later succumbed to his death due to fatal injuries.
The critics believe, the legal ban on cow slaughter will encourage cow vigilantes to launch frequent attacks on innocent cattle traders under the guise of cow protection. Not only this, countless others employed in slaughterhouse and eateries serving beef will lose employment.
- Supporters
The supporters of this decision, mainly the Hindus and the vegans are quite relieved by it. Making cow the national animal of India will compel public cowsheds as well as individual owners to take good care of their animals. There would be lesser animals on streets. Moreover, slaughterhouses will have to take legal permit to dispose of old and worn out cows for beef.
- Government & Advocates
Additional Advocate General Mr. AS Gill, who attended the court on behalf of Rajasthan government, said they would study these recommendations to see if they’re in compliance with the laws, but they’re not binding until the government as well as the jury takes the final decision.
In any case, declaring cow as the national animal of India will have both beneficial and harmful effects on individuals. What do you think?
