Former Vice-President says the proposal could help maintain communal harmony and reduce recurring tensions over cow slaughter
NEW DELHI — Former Vice-President Mohammad Hamid Ansari has expressed support for the growing demand to declare the cow a “national animal”, saying such a step could help reduce social tensions and maintain peace and harmony in the country.
His remarks come ahead of Eid Al-Adha, at a time when several Muslim religious and social organisations have publicly backed the proposal, arguing that it may help prevent recurring disputes and political controversies surrounding cow slaughter.
Speaking to The Indian Express, Ansari said he had read reports about demands being raised by some groups for granting the cow the status of national animal and described the proposal as “reasonable”.
“I read in the news that some voices are demanding that the cow be declared the national animal. I found it to be quite a reasonable demand because if the root cause of the problem can be addressed, then it should be done,” he said.
When asked why he supported demands coming from Muslim organisations, Ansari said maintaining peace and harmony in society was more important than allowing communal disputes to continue. “It is better for the country to have peace and harmony instead of conflict and tension,” he stated.
Responding to a question on whether the central government should formally take such a step, Ansari said the matter was for the Union government to decide. He added that if such a measure could help stop disputes linked to cow slaughter, “it would be a good thing”.
The remarks have come at a time when several Muslim organisations have voiced support for similar appeals made by Maulana Arshad Madani of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind. Madani recently repeated his long-standing demand that the cow should be declared a national animal and also called for stricter laws against illegal slaughter and trade involving cows.
Supporters of the proposal from within Muslim organisations say they hope such a move could reduce political mobilisation around cow-related issues and prevent violence or communal tensions linked to allegations of cow slaughter.
Maulana Khalid Rashid Firangi Mahali, senior executive member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board and chairman of the Islamic Centre of India, also supported the proposal. He said Hindu communities have strong religious sentiments connected with the cow and those sentiments should be respected.
He further argued that a uniform law against cow slaughter should be implemented across the country and said religious organisations should cooperate in efforts aimed at maintaining communal harmony.
Maulana Yasoob Abbas, national general secretary of the All India Shia Personal Law Board, also described the demand as valid, while adding that the government must act sincerely if it intends to pursue such a proposal.
The issue has once again entered public debate in the days leading up to Eid Al-Adha, with supporters presenting it as a step aimed at reducing communal friction, while political and legal discussions around the proposal continue.
