Ahead of the assembly polls in Maharashtra, the state government conferred the title of 'Rajyamata-Gomata' to indigenous cows on Monday.
As per the official notification issued by the Eknath Shinde government, the aim is to promote the welfare of these cows by drawing back to their significance since the Vedic period.
The decision was announced during a cabinet meeting headed by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Along with the new title for cows, the state government also decided to implement a subsidy scheme which will offer Rs 50 for the rearing of the indigenous cows in "goshalas".
Speaking to reporters on the decision, deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said - "Indigenous cows are a boon for our farmers. So, we have decided to grant this ('Rajya Mata') status to them. We have also decided to extend help for the rearing of indigenous cows at Goshalas."
The subsidy scheme will be implemented online by the Goseva Commission under which each district will also be appointed a District Goshala Verification Committee.
Along with this decision, the state Cabinet also approved the second and third reports of the Justice Shinde committee regarding the issuing of Kunbi-Maratha and Maratha-Kunbi certificates.
What's Behind The Maharashtra Government's Decision?
As per officials from the state government, this decision, which comes ahead of the Maharashtra assembly elections, focuses on the cow's spiritual, scientific, and historical significance in Indian society.
"Keeping in view the status of the native cow in Indian culture since the Vedic period, the usefulness of the milk of the native cow in human diet, the important place of cow dung and cow urine in Ayurveda medicine, Panchgavya treatment system and organic farming systems, it has been approved to declare the native cows as 'Rajyamata Gomata' from now on," read the official statement from the state's Agriculture, Dairy Development, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Department.
In Hinduism, cows hold a deep cultural and spiritual significance. Cows are regarded as a symbol of motherhood due to its ability to provide milk - which is a vital resource.
