Muslim groups in India demand cow be declared national animal

New Delhi: In the wake increases scrutiny and right wing attacks in the name of cow slaughter, certain Muslim groups called upon authority a blanket ban on cow slaughter, naming it national animal status so that other species in the bovine family spared from being consumed by laws.

However they also demanded a complete ban on beef exports. The movement, which gathered momentum ahead of Eid al-Adha, began after Arshad Madani, leader of the Arshad Madani faction of Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind, urged the Centre to officially grant the cow national animal status.

In Jaisalmer, members of the Muslim community launched a signature campaign and prepared memorandums addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu as part of demonstrations held across the country. Organisers argued that the campaign was aimed at ending the political exploitation of cow slaughter issues and curbing mob lynching and violence committed in the cow’s name.

Several Muslim leaders and organisations publicly backed the demand. In Lucknow, Shahabuddin Razvi of the All India Muslim Jamaat extended support to the proposal. Siraj Qureshi, whose organisation represents members of the meat trade, also endorsed the demand and indicated that a delegation could seek a meeting with the Prime Minister.

Kausar Hayat Khan of the Indian Union Muslim League said the proposal was technically sound and stressed the need for united support from Muslim organisations nationwide.

In Delhi’s Seelampur area, Muslim groups marched through the streets after Eid prayers, carrying placards demanding national animal status for the cow. Demonstrators described the cow as an important symbol of Indian culture and faith. The campaign has drawn attention because such demands have historically been associated primarily with Hindu organisations.