Ajmer Sharif cleric demands national animal status for cow, ban on slaughter, beef export

Key points

• Ajmer Sharif cleric Syed Sarwar Chishti on Friday (May 22, 2026) urged the Centre to declare the cow as the national animal and impose a nationwide ban on its slaughter and sale for sacrifice.
• The cleric's appeal days ahead of Eid-ul-Azha on May 28. Mr. Chishti said that the cow holds deep religious significance for the Hindu community and deserves respect and constitutional protection.
• He appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to convene a special session of Parliament to bring legislation declaring the cow the national animal.
• "It is important to see who supports such a bill and who opposes it," Mr. Chishti said, adding that the issue should rise above politics and be viewed from the perspective of communal harmony and cultural respect.
• Also Read: Cow slaughter ban has resulted in massive job loss in leather industry: Priyank Kharge Chishti said Muslims would welcome such a move.