MUMBAI, 4 AUG

Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand has said that a cow should have been taken into the new Parliament building at Central Vista during its inauguration.

"If a statue of a cow can enter Parliament, why can't a living cow be taken inside?" he asked reporters on Sunday.

The seer said the Sengol held by Prime Minister Narendra Modi while entering the new Parliament building showed a cow engraved on the sceptre.

"A real cow should have also been taken into the building to bestow blessings. If there is a delay, we will take cows from all over the country and bring them to Parliament," he said, adding this would ensure the PM and the building receive blessings of a real cow.

The Sengol is installed in the Lower House of the Parliament.

He also demanded that the Maharashtra government immediately frame a protocol on cow felicitation.

"The state has not yet declared how to honour the cow. It should finalise a protocol so that people can follow it, and also fix penalties for its violation," he said.

The Shankaracharya demanded that every assembly constituency in India have a "Ramadham" — a cow shelter accommodating 100 cows.

"A total of 4,123 Ramadhams will be built across the country. The shelters will focus on daily cow service, protection, and promoting indigenous breeds," he added.

Those following the protocol while caring for cows would be financially rewarded.

"A person taking care of 100 cows will receive Rs 2 lakh per month," he added.

The Hindu pontiff further said that the Dharma Sansad has passed a congratulatory resolution in support of Hoshangabad MP Darshan Singh Chowdhary, who has demanded that the cow be declared as Rashtramata (Mother of the Nation).

The Shankaracharya said people should support only those candidates who protect cows and work for legislation in their interest.

"The present regime has not yet satisfied us. Cow slaughter must be completely stopped in India," he added.

Addressing the language controversy, he said, "Hindi was first recognised for administrative use. The Marathi-speaking state was formed in 1960, and Marathi was recognised later. Hindi represents several dialects — the same applies to Marathi, which has borrowed from its dialects."

The seer said any violence should be treated as a criminal offence.

He demanded justice in the Malegaon blast case, stating that the real culprits must be punished.

"It is ridiculous that the government is celebrating Amrit Kaal while cows, which provide us with milk, are being slaughtered. Those in government cannot be called our brothers unless they stand in support of cows," he said.