New Delhi: Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind president Arshad Madani has called for the cow to be declared India’s “national animal,” saying such a move could help end mob lynching, communal hatred, and political misuse of the issue.
In a statement shared on social media, Madani said that since a majority of people in India consider the cow sacred and regard it as a mother, the government should explain what is stopping it from granting the animal national status.
“The majority of the people in the country not only consider the cow sacred, but also accord it the status of a mother,” Madani said. “It is difficult to understand what political compulsion is preventing the government from declaring it the ‘national animal’.”
‘Mob Lynching and Hate Politics Must End’
Madani said his organisation would welcome such a decision if it helped bring a permanent solution to violence carried out in the name of cow protection.
“We would, in fact, welcome the decision if the cow were declared the ‘national animal’ and a permanent solution to this issue were found, so that no human life is lost and religion is not exploited for political purposes,” he said.
The Muslim cleric also criticised what he called selective outrage over beef consumption and cow slaughter in different parts of the country.
Questions Over ‘Double Standards’ on Beef Laws
Madani pointed out that in some Indian states, beef is openly sold and consumed without protests or incidents of mob violence, while areas with significant Muslim populations often witness tensions and violence in the name of cow protection.
“What is astonishing is that in some states, beef is openly sold, yet there are neither protests against it nor incidents of mob lynching,” he said. “However, in areas with a significant Muslim population, blood is shed in the name of the cow. This is not devotion; rather, it is a double standard and a political game.”
He also questioned the demand for a Uniform Civil Code while animal slaughter laws vary from one state to another.
Calls for Uniform Law Across India
Madani argued that if the principle of “one nation, one law” is being promoted, then laws related to animal slaughter should also be implemented equally across all states.
“There are many states where beef is openly consumed and no ban exists there,” he said, adding that even leaders from ruling parties in some states have publicly admitted to consuming beef.
“We only want that the cow be granted the status of the ‘national animal’ so that this controversy may be brought to an end forever,” Madani added. “Whatever law is enacted for this purpose should be implemented uniformly across all states of the country without discrimination.”
