Maharashtra Assembly Election: Mahayuti Govt Declares Cow As 'Rajya Mata' Ahead Of Polls

The Maharashtra government, on Monday, issued an order officially declaring the cow as "Rajya Mata" (Mother of the State). This decision was made in recognition of the cow's cultural significance within Indian traditions.

The Eknath Shinde-led government highlighted in its order that cows have been an integral part of Indian culture, holding spiritual, scientific, and even military importance throughout history.

Concerns over Declining Indigenous Cow Breeds

The government's order also raised concerns about the declining population of indigenous cow breeds across India and highlighted various native breeds and stressed the importance of preserving them.

The order underscored that indigenous cows not only hold religious and cultural value but also play a major role in the economy, particularly in agriculture.

The government pointed out that cow dung, for example, is used in agriculture to enhance soil fertility, contributing to the nutritional quality of staple foods consumed by humans.

Given this, the order encouraged cattle rearers to focus on breeding and raising indigenous cows, ensuring the preservation and sustainability of these native species.

In its justification, the Maharashtra government referenced the traditional reverence for cows in Indian society, particularly within Hinduism, where the cow is often referred to as a mother figure and is worshipped.

The order highlighted the various uses of cow products, noting that cow milk, urine, and dung are considered sacred and are utilised in religious practices.

It added, "Cow milk is very beneficial for the human body, while cow urine is claimed to cure many diseases."