View source for Stray cattle in India

{{Short description|Cattle not claimed or tended by an owner}}
{{redirect|Stray cow|the general concept of stray livestock|Estray}}
[[File:Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India (2015) 1.jpg|thumb|Stray cow loitering on the road in [[Varanasi]], India]]
[[File:Status of cow slaughter in India.png|thumb|Cow slaughter laws in various states of India<br>
Green: [[Cattle#Terminology|Cows, bulls and bullocks]] are allowed to be slaughtered<br>
Yellow: Bulls and bullocks are allowed to be slaughtered<br>
Red: None of the above are allowed to be slaughtered ]]
India has over 5 million '''stray cattle''' according to the livestock census data released in January 2020.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=D K|first=Sadana|date=5 April 2021|title='India needs to look beyond gaushalas to address its stray cattle problem'|url=https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/wildlife-biodiversity/-india-needs-to-look-beyond-gaushalas-to-address-its-stray-cattle-problem--76189|url-status=live|access-date=25 December 2021|website=DownToEarth|language=en|archive-date=25 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211225080450/https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/wildlife-biodiversity/-india-needs-to-look-beyond-gaushalas-to-address-its-stray-cattle-problem--76189}}</ref> The stray cow attacks on humans and crops in both urban and rural areas is an issue for the residents.<ref name="IT 11 Jan" /><ref name="Backlash 10 February 2019">{{cite news|date=10 February 2019|title=Yogi Adityanath government stares at UP farmers' backlash as cattle destroy crops|work=The New Indian Express|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2019/feb/10/yogi-adityanath-government-stares-at-up-farmers-backlash-as-cattle-destroy-crops-1936992.html|access-date=23 February 2022|archive-date=23 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220223200006/https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2019/feb/10/yogi-adityanath-government-stares-at-up-farmers-backlash-as-cattle-destroy-crops-1936992.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Cow slaughter is banned in many places in India with penalties of long imprisonment and huge fines. Fear of arrest, persecution, and lynching by [[Cow vigilante violence in India|cow vigilantes]] has reduced the trading of cows. Once a cow stops giving milk, feeding and maintenance of the cow becomes a financial burden on the farmer who cannot afford their upkeep. Cattle that farmers are unable to sell are eventually abandoned. A cow is considered "stray" when its owner no longer claims ownership or its owner cannot be determined.<ref name="Definition">{{cite news |title=Stray cattle Definition |url=https://www.lawinsider.com/dictionary/stray-cattle |access-date=23 February 2022 |work=Law Insider |language=en |archive-date=23 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220223105743/https://www.lawinsider.com/dictionary/stray-cattle |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="BBC UP deadly cow" /><ref name="Washington Post 16 July 2018">{{cite news |title=Why India has 5 million stray cows roaming the country |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2018/07/16/amp-stories/why-india-has-million-stray-cows-roaming-country/ |access-date=23 February 2022 |newspaper=Washington Post |date=16 July 2018 |archive-date=17 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117131111/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2018/07/16/amp-stories/why-india-has-million-stray-cows-roaming-country/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
Stray cattle are a nuisance to traffic in urban areas and cause road accidents.<ref name=":0"/><ref name="Rae Bareli 22 February 2022">{{cite news|date=22 February 2022|title=Next to Adityanath's Rally Ground in Rae Bareli Is a Shelter Where Cows Die Every Day|work=The Wire|url=https://thewire.in/politics/next-to-adityanaths-rally-ground-in-rae-bareli-is-a-shelter-where-cows-die-every-day|access-date=23 February 2022|archive-date=22 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220222123837/https://thewire.in/politics/next-to-adityanaths-rally-ground-in-rae-bareli-is-a-shelter-where-cows-die-every-day|url-status=live}}</ref> The problem of [[Solid waste pollution in India|solid waste pollution]], especially [[plastic pollution]] and garbage dumped at public places, poses a risk to stray cattle which feed on garbage.<ref>{{Cite web|date=4 March 2021|title=71 Kg Of Waste Found In Stomach Of Stray Faridabad Cow|url=https://www.ndtv.com/cities/haryana-71kg-of-waste-found-in-stomach-of-stray-faridabad-cow-2383586|url-status=live|access-date=25 December 2021|website=NDTV.com|archive-date=25 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211225080443/https://www.ndtv.com/cities/haryana-71kg-of-waste-found-in-stomach-of-stray-faridabad-cow-2383586}}</ref>
== Causes ==
{{Main|Cattle slaughter in India}}
Slaughtering cows is illegal in most of India, because cows are considered [[Cow in Hinduism|holy in Hinduism]].<ref name="Gaushalas">{{Cite journal|last1=Sharma|first1=Arvind|last2=Schuetze|first2=Catherine|last3=Phillips|first3=Clive J.C.|date=28 January 2020|title=The Management of Cow Shelters (Gaushalas) in India, Including the Attitudes of Shelter Managers to Cow Welfare|journal=Animals|volume=10|issue=2|page=211|doi=10.3390/ani10020211|pmc=7070297|pmid=32012807|doi-access=free}}</ref> The anti-slaughter laws were not strictly enforced until 2014, when the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP) came to power.<ref name="barabanki">{{cite news|date=22 February 2022|title=योगी की रैली के पहले छोड़े सैकड़ों सांड|work=Dainik Bhaskar|url=https://www.bhaskar.com/local/uttar-pradesh/barabanki/news/barabanki-cm-rally-barabanki-political-news-barabanki-stray-animal-in-cm-rally-barabanki-latest-news-up-news-129428137.html|access-date=23 February 2022|archive-date=23 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220223010935/https://www.bhaskar.com/local/uttar-pradesh/barabanki/news/barabanki-cm-rally-barabanki-political-news-barabanki-stray-animal-in-cm-rally-barabanki-latest-news-up-news-129428137.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Before this, farmers regularly took their old cows to slaughterhouses. Since 2014, cow slaughter has been made illegal in 18 states in India including [[Uttar Pradesh]].<ref name="BBC UP deadly cow" /> In Uttar Pradesh, many slaughterhouses were closed down by the BJP state government,<ref name="Backlash 10 February 2019" /> in accordance with the party's [[right wing politics|right wing]] [[Hindutva|Hindu agenda]].<ref name="BBC UP deadly cow" />
Growing mechanization in the farming industry has also put cattle out of use as [[working animal]]s, and increased the number of cattle abandonment cases.{{efn|These cattle were previously employed in transportation using [[bullock carts]] and tilling fields.}}<ref name="Backlash 10 February 2019" /> Fear of arrest, persecution, and lynching by [[Cow vigilante violence in India|cow vigilantes]] has also reduced the trading of cattle. Once a cow stops giving milk, feeding and maintenance of the cow becomes a financial burden on the farmer who cannot afford their upkeep.<ref name="Backlash 10 February 2019" /> Cattle that farmers are unable to sell are eventually abandoned to wander.<ref>{{cite news|date=19 February 2022|title=Stray cows become election issue in Uttar Pradesh|language=en|work=Deccan Herald|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/video/election/uttar-pradesh/stray-cows-become-election-issue-in-uttar-pradesh-1083050.html|access-date=20 February 2022|archive-date=20 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220220113956/https://www.deccanherald.com/video/election/uttar-pradesh/stray-cows-become-election-issue-in-uttar-pradesh-1083050.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="NDTV UP Issues">{{cite news|date=19 February 2022|title=Rural UP's Biggest Election Issue - The Mighty Bull|work=NDTV.com|url=https://www.ndtv.com/blog/rural-ups-biggest-election-issue-the-mighty-bull-2777077|access-date=20 February 2022|archive-date=19 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220219215657/https://www.ndtv.com/blog/rural-ups-biggest-election-issue-the-mighty-bull-2777077|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=News9 Staff|date=9 February 2022|title=Stray cattle poll issue again but no one knows if it will affect the UP outcome|language=en|work=NEWS9LIVE|url=https://www.news9live.com/india/stray-cattle-poll-issue-again-but-no-one-knows-if-it-will-affect-the-up-outcome-152471|access-date=20 February 2022|archive-date=20 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220220121351/https://www.news9live.com/india/stray-cattle-poll-issue-again-but-no-one-knows-if-it-will-affect-the-up-outcome-152471|url-status=live}}</ref>
== Impact ==
Stray cattle pose a number of threats to human residents and animal welfare in both urban and rural areas. Stray cattle have been known to feed on standing crops and attack humans.<ref name="BBC UP deadly cow" /><ref name="Deccan Herald">{{cite news|date=19 February 2022|title=Stray cattle may devour saffron votes in UP|language=en|work=Deccan Herald|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/election/uttar-pradesh/stray-cattle-may-devour-saffron-votes-in-up-1083041.html|access-date=20 February 2022|archive-date=20 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220220113954/https://www.deccanherald.com/election/uttar-pradesh/stray-cattle-may-devour-saffron-votes-in-up-1083041.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
=== Airports ===
[[Stray animals at Indian airports|Stray animals are common on the runways of Indian airports]]. These stray animals, including cattle, pose a major threat to [[air safety]] in most [[List of airports in India|airports]] across the nation. According to [[Airports Authority of India]] (AAI) officials, animals straying onto a [[runway]] are routine at many airports in India.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 March 2008 |title=Animals on runway, it’s usual in India |url=http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/business/animals-on-runway-its-usual-in-india_10032377.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200420235147/http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/business/animals-on-runway-its-usual-in-india_10032377.html |archive-date=20 April 2020 |access-date=2 April 2022 |website=Thaindian News |publisher=[[Indo-Asian News Service|IANS]]}}</ref><ref name="Dog-ged">[https://archive.today/20130125081800/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Dog-ged-pursuit-at-IGI/Article1-519430.aspx Dog-ged pursuit at IGI], ''[[Hindustan Times]]'', 15 March 2010.</ref>
In 2018, a stray cow on a runway caused chaos at [[Ahmedabad airport]] leading to two planes aborting their landings. The cow crept past security at a cargo gate at the [[Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport]], in [[Ahmedabad]], resulting in a cargo plane being diverted to Mumbai and delaying five domestic flights and several departures. It took over 90 minutes for the security personnel to clear the runway.<ref name="Independent Ahmedabad Airport">{{cite news|date=12 January 2018|title='Mad cow' on runway causes chaos at airport|language=en|work=The Independent|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/cow-india-aiport-runway-ahmedabad-sardar-vallabhbhai-international-gujarat-a8155406.html|access-date=23 February 2022|archive-date=23 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220223110538/https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/cow-india-aiport-runway-ahmedabad-sardar-vallabhbhai-international-gujarat-a8155406.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="AsiaOne Ahmedabad airport">{{cite news|date=13 January 2018|title=Cow enters Indian airport, prevents flights from taking off and landing|language=en|work=AsiaOne|url=https://www.asiaone.com/asia/cow-enters-indian-airport-prevents-flights-taking-and-landing|access-date=23 February 2022|archive-date=23 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220223110538/https://www.asiaone.com/asia/cow-enters-indian-airport-prevents-flights-taking-and-landing|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Al Arabiya Ahmedabad airport">{{cite news|date=13 January 2018|title=Nobody moove! cow causes chaos at Indian airport|language=en|work=Al Arabiya English|url=https://english.alarabiya.net/variety/2018/01/13/Nobody-moove-cow-causes-chaos-at-Indian-airport-|access-date=23 February 2022|archive-date=23 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220223110539/https://english.alarabiya.net/variety/2018/01/13/Nobody-moove-cow-causes-chaos-at-Indian-airport-|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Railway===
[[File:Ayodhya Jn.jpg|thumb|Stray cow at the ticket counters [[Ayodhya Junction railway station]] in Uttar Pradesh.]]
[[File:Bangali Tola, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221001, India - panoramio.jpg|thumb|Stray cow resting in the middle of the road at night in Bangali Tola, Varanasi, [[Uttar Pradesh]]]]
In 2019, Vinay Kumar, the Uttar Pradesh vice-president of the farmers union, [[Bharatiya Kisan Union]], had said "Cows are roaming in the open because there is no buyer and the promised gaushalas [cow shelters] are not operational. They are also destroying crops. Farmers chase them out of their fields. Railway lines are near fields, and the cattle go to open areas near the railway lines; some, unfortunately, come under a train."<ref>{{cite news |title=Sharp rise in cattle run over by trains in north India |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/sharp-rise-in-cattle-run-over-by-trains-in-north-india/story-cnUipzboGRoU27V6NyUWRO.html |work=Hindustan Times |date=9 April 2019 |language=en |access-date=2 April 2022 |archive-date=5 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220105140053/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/sharp-rise-in-cattle-run-over-by-trains-in-north-india/story-cnUipzboGRoU27V6NyUWRO.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
The lack of adequate number of cowsheds (gaushalas) and the strict slaughter and trading laws were reported by ''[[The Wire (India)|The Wire]]'' as the main reasons for increase in cows roaming around and causing more cow related incidents in comparison to earlier years.<ref name="Railway Wire 21 June 2019" />
''The Wire'' reported citing internal [[Indian Railways]] data, that in 2019 around 70 to 80 cattle were hit by trains in India daily. In 2014–2015 the number of cattle that were killed due to being overrun by trains was 2000 to 3000. It increased to 14,000 in 2017–2018. In the year 2018–2019 the number had increased to nearly 30,000, a record jump. It had become "a cause of deep concern for railway authorities".<ref name="Railway Wire 21 June 2019">{{cite news |title=Railway Tracks Continue to be Hazardous Zones for India’s Cattle |url=https://thewire.in/government/railway-tracks-continue-to-be-hazardous-zones-for-indias-cattle |access-date=2 April 2022 |work=The Wire |date=21 June 2019 |archive-date=1 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191201134035/https://thewire.in/government/railway-tracks-continue-to-be-hazardous-zones-for-indias-cattle |url-status=live }}</ref>
All cases of cattle colliding with the trains do not end with the death of the cattle or the [[derailment]] of the train. According to Indian Railway data, about 18,900 trains were 'cattle-hit' in 2017–2018. The cases increased and around 43,000 trains were 'cattle-hit' in 2018–2019. In the period between April–May 2019, about 5,500 'cattle run over' (CRO) cases were recorded on the tracks, which affected the running of over 7,000 trains in two months.<ref name="Railway Wire 21 June 2019" /> In August 2018, ''[[Indian Express]]'' reported a 362% jump in CRO cases from 2015-16 to 2017-2018.<ref name="Cattle 26 August 2018">{{cite news |title=Cattle dying on tracks: Numbers double in one year |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/cattle-dying-on-tracks-numbers-double-in-one-year-5325031/ |access-date=2 April 2022 |work=The Indian Express |date=26 August 2018 |language=en}}</ref>
In February 2019, at Etawah in Uttar Pradesh, the newly-launched [[Vande Bharat Express]] on its second day of service, had hit a stray cow. The aerodynamic nose of the train, made of steel with a fibre cover on it was damaged.<ref name="Railway Wire 21 June 2019" /><ref name="India Today 21 February 2021">{{cite news |last1=Sumeda |first1= |title=Vande Bharat's brush with bad luck: Cow, fog, bike and brickbats |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/vande-bharat-express-train-18-cow-fog-stonepelters-politics-railways-1461709-2019-02-21 |access-date=2 April 2022 |work=India Today |date=21 February 2021 |language=en}}</ref> Similar incident happened again on 17 August 2019.<ref name="17 August 2019">{{cite news |title=Vande Bharat runs over stray bull, carcass halts Haldia Express {{!}} Agra News - Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/agra/vande-bharat-runs-over-stray-bull-carcass-halts-haldia-express/articleshow/70706679.cms |access-date=2 April 2022 |work=The Times of India |agency=TNN |date=17 August 2019 |language=en}}</ref>
According to railway officials, 'cattle run over' events disrupt operations for several hours, as the carcass must first be cleared from the track before the train can proceed. Fencing of the railway lines with concrete reinforced [[barbed wire]] have been suggested to reduce the incidents.<ref name="Railway Wire 21 June 2019" />
=== Roads ===
[[File:Delhi velotaxi.jpg|thumb|Stray cow on the road in Delhi]]
Stray cows are a frequent cause of road accidents in cities, where they crowd roads.<ref name="Hindu 7 December 2019">{{cite news|date=7 December 2019|title=Stray cattle menace returns to haunt road users|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/stray-cattle-menace-returns-to-haunt-road-users/article30233185.ece|access-date=23 February 2022|archive-date=25 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225103828/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/stray-cattle-menace-returns-to-haunt-road-users/article30233185.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> Cow attacks on pedestrians and vehicles often become deadly. Stationary cows on the road are a cause of frequent deadly road accidents in India.<ref name="Indian Express Mansa">{{cite news|date=24 September 2019|title=Mansa stray cattle menace: Victim's kin keep body on road, say demands not met|language=en|work=The Indian Express|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/stray-cattle-issue-in-mansa-victims-kin-keep-body-on-road-say-demands-not-met-6020075/|access-date=23 February 2022|archive-date=23 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220223122322/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/stray-cattle-issue-in-mansa-victims-kin-keep-body-on-road-say-demands-not-met-6020075/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Hindustan Times 23 July 2021">{{cite news|date=23 July 2021|title=Cow cess runs in crores, but stray-cattle menace continues in Ludhiana|language=en|work=Hindustan Times|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/despite-cow-cess-running-in-crores-stray-cattle-s-reign-of-terror-continues-in-ludhiana-101627063869428.html|access-date=23 February 2022|archive-date=23 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220223122323/https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/despite-cow-cess-running-in-crores-stray-cattle-s-reign-of-terror-continues-in-ludhiana-101627063869428.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Cattle dung also creates a road hazard for pedestrians and two-wheeled vehicles who may slip on it.<ref name="Hindu 28 February 2020">{{cite news|last1=Nair|first1=Rajesh B.|date=28 February 2020|title=Stray cattle a menace on several roads|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/puducherry/stray-cattle-a-menace-on-several-roads/article30936238.ece|access-date=23 February 2022|archive-date=24 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220224100109/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/puducherry/stray-cattle-a-menace-on-several-roads/article30936238.ece|url-status=live}}</ref>
In [[Tiruvallur]], in 2022, emergency braking by a [[semi truck]] driver to avoid a collision with stray cattle on the road caused a [[multiple-vehicle collision]] which killed one driver.<ref name="tiruvallur 25 January 2022">{{cite news|date=25 January 2022|title=Tiruvallur: 1 Killed In Multi-vehicle Crash Caused By Cattle In Tiruvallur|language=en|work=The Times of India|agency=TNN|issue=Chennai News|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/1-killed-in-multi-vehicle-crash-caused-by-cattle-in-tiruvallur/articleshow/89102719.cms|access-date=23 February 2022|archive-date=23 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220223204222/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/1-killed-in-multi-vehicle-crash-caused-by-cattle-in-tiruvallur/articleshow/89102719.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> Most of the accidents related to stray cattle on the roads occur at night, when it is harder to see the animal on roads with insufficient lights.<ref name="tiruvallur 25 January 2022" />
Historian, [[D. N. Jha]] had said, "In Delhi, cows should best be treated as a safety hazard. You cannot drive safely for the cows that stray around."<ref name="New York Times Eakin">{{cite news |last1=Eakin |first1=Emily |title=Holy Cow a Myth? An Indian Finds The Kick Is Real |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/08/17/books/holy-cow-a-myth-an-indian-finds-the-kick-is-real.html |access-date=11 April 2022 |work=The New York Times |date=17 August 2002}}</ref>
==Election issue==
[[File:Cow in Varanasi street (8527193622).jpg|thumb|Stray cow on a busy street in [[Varanasi]]]]
The deadly attacks by stray cows were an election issue in the [[2022 Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly election]].<ref name="BBC UP deadly cow">{{cite news |title=Uttar Pradesh: Why deadly cow attacks are an issue in Indian state election |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-60108274 |access-date=23 February 2022 |work=BBC News |date=25 January 2022 |archive-date=20 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220220120315/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-60108274 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2017, after coming to power in Uttar Pradesh, the [[First Yogi Adityanath ministry|Yogi Adityanath ministry]] promised to build cattle shelters to better manage the stray cattle.<ref name="IT 11 Jan" /> Since then, anti-cow-slaughter laws have been strictly enforced.<ref name="Deccan Herald" />
The main opposition party in 2021, [[Samajwadi Party]] (SP), promised compensation of {{INRConvert|5|l}} for farmers who were killed by bulls.<ref name="IT 11 Jan">{{cite news |first=Ashutosh |last=Mishra |title=Stray animals destroy crops in UP districts as goshalas remain non-starters |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/stray-animals-crops-up-districts-goshalas-non-starters-1898440-2022-01-11 |access-date=20 February 2022 |work=India Today |date=11 January 2022 |language=en |archive-date=20 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220220121349/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/stray-animals-crops-up-districts-goshalas-non-starters-1898440-2022-01-11 |url-status=live }}</ref> SP promised to fix the root cause of the problem, removing the risk of trouble or harassment from the trading of livestock.<ref name="NDTV UP Issues" />
In 2022, BJP leaders denied that stray cattle was an issue, despite complaints from farmers that stray cattle were destroying crops.<ref name="Deccan Herald" /> Speaking at a rally in Kanpur in February 2022, PM [[Narendra Modi]] acknowledged the issue in his rally and said that the Yogi government was trying to solve the problem by setting up cattle shelters.<ref name="NDTV UP Issues" />
On 22 February, local farmers released hundreds of cattle at the venue of an election rally in [[Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh|Barabanki]] located 40&nbsp;km from the state capital, Lucknow. The act was to highlight the issues caused by the stray cattle in the area. In a [[viral video]] of the incident, hundreds of unattended cattle were seen roaming in the open rally ground.<ref name="Adityanath rally Cow">{{cite news |title=Watch: UP Farmers Release Stray Cattle Near Yogi Adityanath's Rally Venue |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/watch-up-farmers-release-stray-cattle-near-yogi-adityanaths-rally-venue-2783182 |access-date=23 February 2022 |date=22 February 2022 |work=NDTV.com |archive-date=23 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220223034443/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/watch-up-farmers-release-stray-cattle-near-yogi-adityanaths-rally-venue-2783182 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=योगी की रैली के पहले छोड़े सैकड़ों सांड |url=https://www.bhaskar.com/local/uttar-pradesh/barabanki/news/barabanki-cm-rally-barabanki-political-news-barabanki-stray-animal-in-cm-rally-barabanki-latest-news-up-news-129428137.html |access-date=23 February 2022 |archive-date=23 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220223010935/https://www.bhaskar.com/local/uttar-pradesh/barabanki/news/barabanki-cm-rally-barabanki-political-news-barabanki-stray-animal-in-cm-rally-barabanki-latest-news-up-news-129428137.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=बाराबंकी में योगी की जनसभा से पहले मैदान में जुटे आवारा पशु, वीडियो वायरल |url=https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/elections/assembly-elections/uttar-pradesh/video/stray-animals-gathered-in-field-before-yogis-public-meeting-in-barabanki-video-viral/videoshow/89754487.cms |access-date=23 February 2022 |work=Navbharat Times |language=hi |archive-date=23 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220223102701/https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/elections/assembly-elections/uttar-pradesh/video/stray-animals-gathered-in-field-before-yogis-public-meeting-in-barabanki-video-viral/videoshow/89754487.cms |url-status=live }}</ref>
== Governmental response ==
=== Laws ===
[[File:People, cattle in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India (2005).jpg|thumb|Stray bull in a market in [[Varanasi]]]]
In June 2020, the Uttar Pradesh government approved the Uttar Pradesh Cabinet Cow Slaughter Prevention (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020, that provided maximum sentences of 10 years imprisonment and fines of up to {{INRConvert|5|l}} for cow slaughter.<ref name="Ordinance 10 June 2020">{{cite news |title=UP Cabinet Passes Ordinance: 10 Years' Rigorous Punishment for Cow Slaughter |url=https://thewire.in/government/uttar-pradesh-cabinet-ordinance-punishment-cow-slaughter |access-date=23 February 2022 |work=The Wire |date=10 June 2020 |archive-date=22 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220222145430/https://thewire.in/government/uttar-pradesh-cabinet-ordinance-punishment-cow-slaughter |url-status=live }}</ref>
The residents of [[Tiruvallur district]] who allow their cattle to freely wander on the roads have been warned by the police. Imprisonment of up to three years and fines up to ₹5,000 are applicable according to the provisions of the Tamil Nadu Animals and Birds in Urban Areas (Control and Regulation) Act, 1997. Police have also threatened actions according to the [[Indian Penal Code]] and [[Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act]], in addition the stray cattle would be sent to cow sheds operated by the government. Yet these measures have not reduced the practice of cattle owners releasing their cattle. The authorities of Tiruvallur district have also set up a call center to report incidents of stray cattle.<ref name="tiruvallur 25 January 2022" />
===Cow tax===
The Adityanath ministry in the state of Uttar Pradesh introduced a special 0.5% tax named the "Cow Protection Cess" on eight government departments including the department that earns revenue from [[alcohol tax]]es.<ref name="Backlash 10 February 2019" /> The cow protection [[cess]] was levied to earn money and maintain thousands of cow sheds operated by the government. The ''[[BBC]]'' reported that the tax did not solve the problem of stray cows, and the cow sheds were found to be overcrowded.<ref name="BBC UP deadly cow" /> In 2019, there were 510 cow shelters in the state of Uttar Pradesh registered in the state government records.<ref name="Backlash 10 February 2019" />
In 2021, it was reported that the [[Ludhiana Municipal Corporation]] had collected a cow cess of ₹3.5 crore every year, for taking care of stray cows. However, as of 2021, hundreds of stray cows were seen roaming in the streets on public places in [[Ludhiana]] city.<ref name="Hindustan Times 23 July 2021" />
=== Cow sheds ===
[[File:Gaushala in Sector 45, Chandigarh.jpg|thumb|Gaushala (cow shed) in Sector 45, [[Chandigarh]]]]
[[File:Jawaharlal Nehru visiting a Goshala during his Gujarat tour in 1949.jpg|thumb|Prime Minister [[Jawaharlal Nehru]] visiting a Goshala during his [[Gujarat]] tour in 1949]]
''[[Goshala]]s'' ('cow sheds') are shelters for unproductive, homeless, unwanted or elderly cattle in India.<ref name="Gaushalas" /> Since the BJP government came into power in India in 2014, India has spent {{INRConvert|5.8|b}} on cow shelters in between the years 2014 and 2016.<ref name="Bloomb1">{{cite web|date=2016-07-18|title=Cow urine can sell for more than milk in India|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-07-17/cow-urine-can-sell-for-more-than-milk-in-india|publisher=Bloomberg.com|accessdate=2016-09-18|archive-date=2016-09-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160918155752/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-07-17/cow-urine-can-sell-for-more-than-milk-in-india|url-status=live}}</ref>
The BJP state government claims to have provided money to the village ''pradhans'' to set up cow shelters to keep the stray cattle. The ''[[Deccan Herald]]'' reported that it could not find cattle shelters in the villages of Sitapur, Lakhimpur Kheri, Hardoi and Unnao districts. Places that had cow shelters, were already full with no capacity to keep more cattle.<ref name="Deccan Herald" />
Large scale corruption has been reported in the building and management of cow shelters in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. The contracts for the cow shelters were awarded to people associated with the ruling party,  BJP, or the [[Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh]].<ref name="Wire 6 February 2021">{{cite news|last1=Pandey|first1=Sandeep|last2=Kumar|first2=Kushagra|date=6 February 2021|title=The Story Behind the Villagers Who Tried to March to Adityanath's House With Cows|work=The Wire|url=https://thewire.in/rights/cow-protection-gaushala-uttar-pradesh-yogi-adityanath|access-date=23 February 2022|archive-date=23 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220223160116/https://thewire.in/rights/cow-protection-gaushala-uttar-pradesh-yogi-adityanath|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="100 cow Bhopal 1 February 2022">{{cite news|last1=Shukla|first1=Ashutosh|last2=Singh|first2=Ramendra|date=1 February 2022|title=Bhopal: Over 100 cows found dead in gaushala {{!}} Bhopal News - Times of India|language=en|work=The Times of India|agency=TNN|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/bhopal-over-100-cows-found-dead-in-gaushala/articleshow/89259575.cms|access-date=23 February 2022|archive-date=23 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220223205743/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/bhopal-over-100-cows-found-dead-in-gaushala/articleshow/89259575.cms|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Financial Express 1 January 2019">{{cite news|date=1 January 2019|title=Yogi Adityanath-led UP government decides to set up cow sheds for stray cattle|language=en|work=The Financial Express|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/yogi-adityanath-led-up-government-decides-to-set-up-cow-sheds-for-stray-cattle/1430814/|access-date=23 February 2022|archive-date=23 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220223205628/https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/yogi-adityanath-led-up-government-decides-to-set-up-cow-sheds-for-stray-cattle/1430814/|url-status=live}}</ref>
Cattle housed in the cow shelters often starve to death due to lack of [[fodder]], in shelters that are not maintained properly.<ref name="Cattle dying 16 July 2019">{{cite news|date=16 July 2019|title=Cattle dying due to lack of 'proper fodder', say locals in Uttar Pradesh's Barabanki; authorities to probe issue|language=en|work=Firstpost|url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/cattle-dying-due-to-lack-of-proper-fodder-say-locals-in-uttar-pradeshs-barabanki-authorities-to-probe-issue-7000821.html|access-date=23 February 2022|archive-date=23 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220223201609/https://www.firstpost.com/india/cattle-dying-due-to-lack-of-proper-fodder-say-locals-in-uttar-pradeshs-barabanki-authorities-to-probe-issue-7000821.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Overcrowded shelters lack sufficient manpower to manage the large number of cows and the money allotted to feed the cattle is not sufficient due to the over crowding.<ref name="Rae Bareli 22 February 2022" />
==See also==
*[[Maverick (animal)]]
==References==
{{notelist}}
{{reflist}}
== External links ==
* {{commons category-inline|Stray cows}}
[[Category:Human–animal interaction]]
[[Category:Feral cattle]]
[[Category:Animal welfare and rights in India]]
[[Category:Animals in politics]]