'Holy cow' holier-than-thou in Haryana

Haryana has developed an uncanny penchant for the bovine, which is why after a splendid show of exotic Murrah buffaloes sashaying down the ramp, the government now plans to organise a beauty peagent of sorts for cows.

In fact, given the 'patronage' cows have in Haryana under the incumbent saffron party regime, the cow seems to have emerged superior than all the bovine put together.

On the cards is a contest where owners from all over the state will showcase the best of cows and calves and win cash prizes. Ever since the BJP government came to power in Haryana last year, cows have occupied much of the political and public space under the leadership of RSS ideologue and Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar.

The Haryana assembly in March this year had unanimously passed a bill under which cow slaughter and the sale of beef were banned in the state. The new law now in place will also promote conservation and development of indigenous breeds of cows. A person found guilty of cow slaughter in Haryana can get a rigorous imprisonment not less than three years, which may extend up to 10 years along with a fine up to Rs 1 lakh. Any person who exports cows for slaughter either directly or through somebody will also be liable for rigorous imprisonment. The sale of beef is now an offence in the state which is punishable with rigorous imprisonment for not less than three years.

A plan to explore the possibility of importing high quality Sahiwal breed of cow from Pakistan is also being mulled over.

The ruling Badal  family in neighboruing Punjab already has three Sahiwal cows at their farm which were reportedly gifted by Pakistan Punjab chief minister Shahbaz Sharif. The Badals brought the cattle from Pakistan by spending over Rs 16 lakh, said sources.
Haryana has 2.5 per cent of the bovine population of the country, but the state accounts for 5 per cent of the milk produce of India.

The beauty contest will be a part of indigenous cattle breeding programme, Haryana agriculture minister Om Parkash Dhankar said, adding that a target has been set for increasing milk producing capacity of the state. Haryana's current availability of milk is 800 grams per person per day which is less than states like Punjab and Gujarat.