New Delhi: The Eknath Shinde government’s plan to confer the status of ‘Rajya mata’ to Indigenous cows in Maharashtra has received the approval and support of its important ally, the BJP, which is also one of the main proponents of treating cows as venerable figures. Maharashtra is the first state in India to do so, and it has taken such an initiative to promote the welfare of cows.
The BJP welcomed the decision, calling it a reinforcement of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s heritage.
Prem Shukla, BJP National Spokesperson, underlined the significance of this decision, noting that it is consistent with Shivaji’s Hindavi Swaraj objectives.
Shukla attacked the Congress and Sharad Pawar, claiming that such a declaration should have been made years ago.
He also highlighted that the ban on cow slaughter was only implemented under the Devendra Fadnavis government. “This decision honours the tradition of Chhatrapati Shivaji,” he stated.
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Shukla addressed the opposition, noting that multiple elections took place in Maharashtra between 1960 and 2024, during which Congress and Pawar refused to issue similar proclamations owing to political considerations.
He further accused them of prioritising appeasement over principled decisions.
Shukla went on to explain the historical relevance of cow protection in Maharashtra, tracing its origins back to the Vedic period and emphasising the cultural importance of cows in regions such as Marathwada, West Maharashtra, and Vidarbha. Chhatrapati Shivaji is also described as a cow protector.
The state Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, made the decision months before the Maharashtra Assembly elections.
Notably, the cow is elevated to the rank of mother and revered in Hinduism in India. Its milk, urine, and dung are regarded as sacred and widely used. Cow milk benefits the human body, and cow urine is claimed to cure many diseases.
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–IANS
