An Allahabad High Court judge has called for the declaration of the cow as a national animal and said “cow protection should be the fundamental right of Hindus”.

Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav made the observation while denying bail to the accused, Javed, in a cow slaughter case. Javed’s counsel had pleaded that his client had been implicated in a false case and that no cow meat had been found in his possession.

Justice Yadav wrote in his order: “Samast paristhitiyon ko dhyan mein rakhne ki awashyakta hai ki gai ko ek rashtriya pashu ghoshit kiya jaye aur go suraksha ko Hinduon ke maulik adhikar mein rakha jae.”

A translation: “All circumstances must be considered and the cow should be declared as a national animal and cow protection should be the fundamental right of Hindus.”

Justice Yadav wrote: “…We know that when there is an assault on a country’s culture and faith, it becomes weak….”

He continued: “The cow has an important place in Indian culture. The cow is known as mother in the country and is worshipped as a goddess…. The people of India are known for their generosity. It is because of this that they consider as gods those animals that are beneficial to them.”

“…Cows give milk, which is needed for a strong and health constitution. It gives cow dung for fertiliser and urine that kills germs.

It produces calf and oxen, which help in agriculture when they grow up,” Justice Yadav said.