Tanisha Rana
Published on: October 10, 2022 at 23:08 IST
The Supreme Court of India on Monday denied a request for directives to the Indian government to designate the cow as the country’s national animal.
India’s national animal is the Bengal tiger, scientifically known as the Panthera Tigris.
A bench of Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice Abhay S. Oka questioned the petitioner Govansh Sewa Sadan if the case was having any effect on their fundamental rights while emphasising that it is not the role of the SC to make such decisions.
The court said, “Is this the job of the court?… Why do you file such petitions where we are compelled to impose costs? Whose fundamental right is affected now that you have filed petition under the Article 32? Law to be thrown to the winds because you come with such petitions to court?”
Every Indian citizen has the right, under Article 32 of the Indian Constitution, to request a constitutional remedy from the Supreme Court if their fundamental rights have been violated.
The petitioner’s attorney stated in response to the court’s comments that “cow protection is a very significant matter.”
Added he, “Let the government give it thought. I’m not persuasive… The preservation of cows is crucial. Cow manure and its urine are both used in agriculture. Your Honour, we get everything from cows.”
The attorney’s justification, though, did not alter the court’s view.
When the SC declined to hear the case, the petitioner then asked to withdraw the argument. The petitioner was able to do it owing to the bench.