Muslim clerics in India have called for the cow to be declared the national animal, a proposal met with hesitation from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Despite the support from Muslim leaders, the BJP has not endorsed the idea, citing no current plans for such a declaration. The debate intensifies as cow slaughter regulations change ahead of the Eid-ul-Adha festival.

• 01Muslim clerics, including Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind President Maulana Arshad Madani, have proposed the cow's national animal status to combat mob violence related to cow protection.
• 02BJP leaders, including Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, have not supported the proposal, stating it is not under consideration by the Union Cabinet.
• 03Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath emphasized that the cow is already culturally regarded as 'Rashtra Mata' (Mother of the Nation) without needing formal recognition.
• 04Legal experts suggest that declaring the cow a national animal would require new laws similar to those protecting the tiger under the Wildlife Protection Act.
• 05The proposal intersects with India's significant buffalo meat export industry, which is valued at approximately $4.06 billion for the fiscal year 2025-26.

The proposal could significantly impact the livestock industry and cow slaughter regulations across various states in India.