Amid the debate over granting cows the status of a “national animal”, Congress leader Husain Dalwai on Tuesday said that while some people may consider cows as mothers, Muslims are not obliged to accept that belief. 

Speaking to IANS, Dalwai said, “Earlier, the cow was referred to as a state animal, and now it is being called a mother. Even if Muslims take a step back, there is still an attempt to push them further. You may call the cow a mother, but we consider it an important animal of this country and a state animal. What is wrong with that? Those who described it as a state animal have said the right thing.”