Soumya Ranjan Gahir

Prioritising Cows over Humans: A Sad Affair of an Indian State

On the 5th of May 2021, the Yogi Adityanath government announced that it would set up helpdesks for cows in every district of India's northern state Uttar Pradesh (UP). To many, it came as a shock, given its timing when India (and the state) is going through an unprecedented second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. However, this news would not be such a surprise for those aware of the BJP's 'Cow Politics'. Last year during the pandemic, another BJP ruled state, Madhya Pradesh, formed a 'Cow Cabinet' for the conservation and welfare of cows, which was the first of its kind.