No cabinet plan to make cow national animal or ban slaughter, says Law Minister
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New Delhi: There is no current proposal before the Union Cabinet to declare the cow the national animal or to impose a nationwide ban on cow slaughter, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal has said, despite ongoing demands from various groups.
Speaking to PTI, Meghwal said representations on the issue are frequently sent to MPs and the government by organisations and individuals. “As of now, there is no such matter before us that is under consideration of the Cabinet. If at any point a proposal reaches a stage where it warrants a government decision or Cabinet consideration, we will inform you,” he added.
The minister noted that laws on cattle slaughter differ by state and are often decided on local grounds, pointing to the BJP-led West Bengal government’s recent efforts to strengthen enforcement under the state’s 1950 law. He acknowledged persistent calls for a nationwide ban and for declaring the cow the national animal, saying these debates continue on social media and elsewhere but have not reached a stage for government action.
Several Muslim and Hindu leaders have voiced support for such measures. Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind chief Maulana Arshad Madani and former vice-president Hamid Ansari have backed the idea, arguing it could ease recurring tensions linked to cow slaughter. Maulana Khalid Rashid Farangi Mahali of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board has also said recognising the cow as the national animal would show respect for religious and cultural sentiments.
(Inputs from PTI)