Declare cow as national animal, make slaughter punishable by life term: Rajasthan High Court

Jaipur: Amid protests in several non BJP-ruled states over the Centre's recent ban on sale of cattle for slaughtering, the Rajasthan High Court on Wednesday suggested to make cow as the national animal of India.

The Rajasthan High Court also called for increasing punishment for cow slaughter to life imprisonment.

The observations from the Rajasthan High Court have come at a time when massive protests are being held across several states against the restrictions imposed by the Narendra Modi government on sale of cattle for slaughter.

Importantly, the tiger is presently the national animal of India.

The Rajasthan High Court made the suggestion while responding to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by an organisation which sought steps for the protection of cows.

Importantly, the suggestions from the Rajasthan high court came a day after the Madras High Court stayed for four weeks the Centre's notification banning sale and purchase of cattle for slaughter.

Non-BJP parties and the governments of Kerala, West Bengal and Puducherry have opposed the Centre's notification, which also led to violent protests at IIT Madras campus where some students had organized ‘beef fests’ on Sunday. 

Similar protests have been organised in Kerala as well.

The new rules notified by the Union environment ministry banned the sale or purchase of bulls, cows, camels for slaughter houses or for sacrifice for religious purpose.