Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath criticized Islamic clerics for suggesting that cows should be declared the national animal. He emphasized the sacred status of cows in Indian culture, stating that there is no need for such a declaration as cows are already revered as “Rashtramata” or mother of the nation.
Adityanath made these comments while distributing land ownership certificates to over 1,600 families in Bijnor district, including those displaced from Pakistan and former soldiers. The Chief Minister denounced the clerics’ demands, highlighting the long-standing cultural significance of cows in India.
The Islamic clerics, including representatives from Ajmer Dargah Sharif, Nakhoda Masjid in Kolkata, and Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah in Delhi, had urged the Muslim community to avoid cow sacrifice during Eid-ul-Azha. They called for a ban on cattle slaughter and beef exports, proposing national animal status for cows to protect them.
Adityanath criticized the clerics for their alleged double standards, pointing out that cows have always held a revered position in Indian society. He condemned the recent stabbing incident in Ghaziabad, emphasizing that such acts of violence disguised as friendship would not be tolerated in the state.
