DECLARE COW THE NATIONAL ANIMAL: R’STHAN HC JUDGE

JAIPUR: The Rajasthan high court asked the central and state governments on Wednesday to declare the cow as India’s national animal, and ensure that those who kill the animal are given a life sentence.

Justice Mahesh Chand Sharma also listed 11 benefits of cow urine while hearing a petition on the death of more than 500 cows at a Jaipur government-run shelter.

“It is believed that 33 crore gods and goddesses reside inside the cow… cow is the only living being which intakes oxygen and emits oxygen,” the judge said, adding that the animal was a laboratory in itself.

“It is expected from the government that it should declare cow as national animal and for this purpose the chief secretary and advocate general of state are declared legal custodians of cow,” the judge said in a 139-page order, calling himself a Shiv devotee. Sharma retired on Wednesday.

The order comes amid a fierce nationwide debate on a controversial central government notification that banned the sale of cattle for slaughter at animal farms. Angry protests have rocked Kerala and Tamil Nadu and other states such as West Bengal have rejected the rule on grounds that it violates India’s federal structure.

Cow slaughter is banned in most states of India, including Rajasthan. Since the BJP stormed to power in 2014, the issue has increasingly divided communities and sparked raucous debates, especially with the rising power of cow protection vigilante groups.