The Allahabad High Court on Wednesday suggested to declare cow as the national animal, keeping in view the Vedic, mythological and cultural importance, apart from social utility.
A Single-Judge Bench of Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav made the above observation, while rejecting the bail application of one Javed of Sambhal, charged under Section 379 of IPC (Punishment of Theft) and Sections 3, 5, 8 of the Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act.
The court said cow is considered as mother in India. It is a matter of faith for Hindus. Injury to faith weakens the country. Eating beef is not a fundamental right of anyone. The Right to Life cannot be taken away for the taste of the tongue. The old sick cow is also useful for agriculture. It is not right to allow its killing. It is the backbone of Indian agriculture, noted the Bench.
The Court further observed that India is the only country in the whole world where people of all sects live. Even though the worship method is different, everyone’s thinking is the same, to respect each other’s religion.
If the person who killed the cow is released, then he will commit the crime, held the Court.
Government Advocate S.K. Pal and AGA Mithilesh Kumar protested the application filed by Javed.
The petitioner was accused of stealing Khilendra Singh’s cow, along with his companions, killing it along with other cows in the forest and collecting meat. The complainant identified the animal by its severed head. The accused fled the scene, leaving behind his motorcycle.
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The Judge said that cow slaughter is prohibited in 24 out of 29 states. One cow provides food to 410-440 people in a lifetime, while beef feeds only 80 people. Maharaja Ranjit Singh had ordered death penalty for cow slaughter. Muslim and Hindu kings banned cow slaughter. Fecal urine is beneficial in incurable diseases. The glory of the cow has been described in the Vedas and Puranas.
“Raskhan said that if you get birth, you will meet among the cows of Nanda. Mangal Pandey made a revolution regarding the fat of the cow. Cow protection has also been emphasised in the Constitution,” he added.
Read the full order here;
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