Daijiworld Media Network - Lucknow
Lucknow, May 24: Several Muslim organisations, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, have supported a demand by Arshad Madani to declare the cow as India’s national animal ahead of Eid-ul-Azha (Bakrid).
The organisations said such a move could help prevent incidents of mob lynching and reduce political tensions surrounding cow slaughter.
The demand has gained attention as it comes from within sections of the Muslim community in the run-up to the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, an issue that has traditionally been raised by Hindu organisations.
Shahabuddin Razvi, president of the All India Muslim Jamaat, strongly backed the proposal and said efforts would be made to build consensus among various Muslim organisations.
He said a meeting of representatives from prominent Muslim bodies would soon be held in New Delhi to prepare a joint memorandum to be submitted to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior leaders.
Razvi said declaring the cow the national animal could help bring uniformity in policies related to cow slaughter and reduce violence carried out in its name.
Siraj Qureshi of the All India Qureshi Jamaat also supported the demand and said his organisation was willing to meet the prime minister on the issue if required.
He claimed the organisation had long advocated granting national animal status to the cow, but no government had taken concrete steps in that direction.
Yasoob Abbas of the All India Shia Personal Law Board said the demand was valid but stressed that the government must adopt a uniform policy on cow slaughter across all states.
Similar views were expressed by Kausar Hayat Khan of the Indian Union Muslim League and Khalid Rashid Farangi Mahali of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, who called for nationwide uniform laws on cow slaughter.
Madani had reiterated the demand last week, stating that strict legal action should also be taken against those involved in the illegal purchase, sale and slaughter of cows.
The issue of cow slaughter has remained politically sensitive in several northern states. In 2017, the Uttar Pradesh government launched a crackdown on illegal slaughterhouses while permitting regulated buffalo meat trade under strict licensing rules.