Indian judge claims cow ‘inhales and exhales’ oxygen

Justice Shekhar Kumar urges the Modi government to declare cow national animal of the country

An Indian judge has made a baffling claim quoting unnamed scientists that the cow is the only animal that exhales oxygen.

“Scientists believe that the cow is the only animal that inhales oxygen and exhales oxygen too,” Allahabad High Court Judge Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav said while hearing the bail petition of man booked on 'Cow Slaughter Act'.

However, there is no living being except for plants that exhale oxygen.

The judge urged the Indian government to introduce a bill in parliament for “protection of cows” and declare “cow protection as a fundamental right of Hindus,” The Indian Express reported.

Justice Yadav also suggested the Modi-led BJP government declare cow as the national animal.

“Keeping in mind the circumstances, the cow must be declared national animal and protection of cows must be a fundamental right of Hindus because we know when the country’s culture and faith are hurt, the country becomes weak,” Justice Yadav said.

Also read: India to hold national 'cow science' exam

The bench of Justice Yadav in its 12-page order in Hindi said: “You can’t take away lives for the tastebuds of a few…eating cow meat can never be a fundamental right…”

“Panchakavyam, which is made from cow milk, curd, butter, urine and cow dung is beneficial in the treatment of some ailments and as per Hindu religion, there are 33 Gods and Goddesses which reside in the cow,” Justice Yadav added.

However, Indian doctors May this year warned against the practice of using cow dung in the belief it will ward off Covid-19, saying there is no scientific evidence for its effectiveness and that it risks spreading other diseases.

In Hinduism, the cow is a sacred symbol of life and the earth, and for centuries Hindus have used cow dung to clean their homes and for prayer rituals, believing it has therapeutic and antiseptic properties.

Cow slaughter and eating beef has become illegal in many parts of the culturally diverse and officially secular country, while sentences elsewhere have increased.

There have been a string of attacks by vigilante groups on minorities and low-caste people who have traditionally eaten beef and disposed of cow carcasses.

The southern state of Karnataka had amended its cow protection law to give police increased powers to search and arrest anyone without a warrant suspected of cow slaughter.

The state government, controlled by Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), enhanced jail terms to seven years and fines to Rs1 million ($13,700) for offenders.