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Online petition demands shelters for old and stray cows across India
Concerned over fate of stray and old cows, a city-based woman has launched an online campaign urging the Centre to formulate a policy for setting up of class cow sheds across the country.
Concerned over fate of stray and old cows, a city-based woman has launched an online campaign urging the Centre to formulate a policy for setting up of class cow sheds across the country.
“Through the petition, I have demanded a comprehensive policy from our Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) and the central government demanding shelters for stray and old cows,” Sonali Shetty told Hindustan Times on Friday.
Shetty, 37, posted the petition on change.org on March 30. Notably, the BJP ruled Gujarat on Friday announced life imprisonment for cow slaughter.
“While volunteering for an NGO, I observed how cows are mistreated by owners if they are old, if rescued-remains tied up with a pole or either sold for slaughter. When the centre government is apt in conserving the specie, then it has to come up with an alternative where such cows could be kept-with hygiene and better facilities,” she said.
Highlighting how cows are termed useless once they stop milking, she said the most of the owners sell the animal to butchers.
“While cow slaughter won’t be easy now, the central government needs a policy for providing shelter to such cows.
“If cow slaughter would be banned, then people would just leave their old cows to die on streets. The government should prepare a policy for housing such cows otherwise, stray cows will populate urban centres,” Shetty said.
Suggesting ways of generating funds to develop the shed, the petitioner has mentioned that local could be charged extra tax of about 1%.
“Arranging funds for shelters would be difficult. But, the government can always levy a minimal 1% tax or else pitch in various religious Hindu sects that advocate cow protection. At least every state should have 5 such shelters,” she said.