India News : Haridwar: Senior BJP leader and former Laksar MLA Sanjay Gupta has stirred a debate over society’s selective empathy for animals. Reacting to ongoing concerns about stray dogs, Gupta questioned why society and even the judiciary express deep concern for dogs—who sometimes bite and even kill people—but show apparent indifference toward cows, which have long been revered in Indian tradition.
“It is right to be aware and protective of every living being,” Gupta said, “but in this aware society, the cow—who gives us milk, nurtures the earth with her dung and urine, and is even considered sacred—is being ignored.”
He emphasized that while dog-related incidents prompt Supreme Court attention and public outcry, the plight of cows, many of which are being slaughtered or neglected, receives little to no reaction. “The cow doesn’t bark, doesn’t bite, doesn’t form gangs. She silently gives milk for humans and contributes to soil fertility. And for that, she is considered insignificant in the eyes of courts and society,” he remarked.
Gupta highlighted the Ayurvedic benefits of cow milk, cow dung, and urine, noting their traditional use in religious rituals and treatment of chronic diseases. He also touched upon the spiritual belief that the earth is balanced on a cow’s horns—symbolizing the deep-rooted cultural reverence for the animal.
“Stray dog attacks bring elites to the streets, while the suffering of cows goes unnoticed. Only saints occasionally speak for them,” he added.
Calling for stronger legal provisions and greater societal awareness, Gupta said that if India aspires to become “a better and healthier nation,” it must take cow protection seriously. “The benefits of cows cannot be found in any other animal. We must become more sincere about their welfare,” he concluded.
