Bhopal: The only Muslim member in the legislative assembly of Madhya Pradesh wants a law mandating last rites for cows after their death.
Arif Aqueel says he will file a public interest litigation (PIL), seeking court directives to the central Indian state government to perform last rites of cows following their death.
He had earlier tabled a private member’s bill in the state assembly stating that the 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, the Hindustan Times reported.
However, the 230-member house rejected the bill since the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party opposed it. When put to vote the bill fell through by a margin of 55 to 31 votes. Aqueel is the lone Muslim member in the 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 member of the Congress party representing Bhopal North in the Assembly.
“In case of natural death, government should take responsibility of the cow’s last rites. Local bodies should be entrusted with this task,” he added.
The demand comes in the wake of violence in the name of eating beef in some states.