While rejecting a bail petition of a Muslim man booked under the UP Cow Slaughter Act, Allahabad High Court urged the Centre government to introduce a Bill in Parliament to “declare cow as a national animal and cow protection a fundamental right of Hindus”.
“Keeping in mind the circumstances, the cow must be declared national animal and protection of cows must be a fundamental right of Hindus because we know when the country’s culture and faith are hurt, the country becomes weak,” stated Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav.
The High Court bench was hearing a bail petition by Javed who was booked for theft under IPC Section 379 and under Section 3, Section 5, and Section 8 of Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act in Sambhal district.
Considering the bail plea to be baseless, the bench noted, “This wasn’t his first offence and even before this he has committed cow slaughter, which has disturbed the harmony of the society.”
Right to Life is higher than the Right To Kill
“You can’t take away lives for the tastebuds of a few… And the right to life is higher than the right to kill. Eating cow meat can never be a fundamental right. The fundamental rights can’t just be a privilege for those who eat cow meat, but those who rely on cow for income and those who worship cows also have the right to a meaningful life.”
“Every time we forgot about our culture, foreigners attacked us and enslaved us, and if today we don’t become alert, then the example of Taliban taking over Afghanistan is in front of us,” Justice Yadav stated in its 12-page order.
Cows Inhale and Exhale Oxygen
Justice Yadav further stated that scientists believe that the cow is the only animal that inhales oxygen and exhales oxygen too.
“Panchakavyam, which is made from cow milk, curd, butter, urine, and cow dung is beneficial in the treatment of some ailments and as per Hindu religion, there are 33 Gods and Goddesses which reside in the cow. Not just the Hindus, even “Muslims understood the importance of cow in Indian culture, and Muslim rulers like Babur, Akbar and Humayun imposed a ban on cow slaughter during their festivals,” he added.
Muslims Also In Favour Of Cow Slaughter Ban: HC
Claiming that majority of Indian Muslims also supports the ban on cow slaughter practices, Justice Yadav stated, “The work of cow protection is not only of one religious sect, but cow is the culture of India and the work of saving the culture is of every citizen living in the country irrespective of religion.”
Justice Yadav also came down heavily on the owners of cowsheds stating that their only aim is to earn money in the name of cow protection.
Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act
In June 2020, the Uttar Pradesh assembly passed an ordinance (Uttar Pradesh Cabinet Cow Slaughter Prevention (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020) providing maximum rigorous imprisonment of 10 years and a fine up to Rs 5 lakh for cow slaughter.
Yogi Adityanath Banned Meat, Liquor in Mathura
Two days back on the occasion of Janmashtami, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath banned the sale of meat and liquor in Mathura.
