Muslim MLA wants law for last rites of cows in MP

Arif Aqueel, the lone Muslim MLA in the 230 member strong Madhya Pradesh state assembly, has decided to file a public interest litigation, seeking court directives to the MP government to perform last rites of cows following their death.

Arif Aqueel, the lone Muslim MLA in the Madhya Pradesh state assembly, has decided to file a public interest litigation (PIL), seeking court directives to the MP government to perform last rites of cows following their death.

Lone Muslim MLA in Madhya Pradesh Assembly, Arif Aqueel had earlier tabled a private member’s bill in the state assembly on this issue. (HT photo)

Aqueel had earlier tabled a private member’s bill in the state assembly stating that the MP government should arrange for disposal of cows’ bodies in a befitting manner.

He added that it would enable the government and administrations to keep tabs on deaths of cows in the area under their jurisdiction.

But the bill was rejected by the House as the ruling BJP opposed it and when put to vote it fell through by a margin of 55 to 31 votes. Aqueel is the lone Muslim MLA in the 230 member MP Assembly.

“I have decided to file a PIL seeking last rites of cows that die natural deaths, to be performed by the state government. We respect the feelings of our Hindu brothers. They consider cow as their mother, therefore its sacredness should be maintained even after its death,” said Aqueel, a Congress MLA from Bhopal North.