NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday declined to consider a plea for declaring cow as the national animal of India and ensuring its protection.
"Is it the job of the court to declare an animal as the national animal? Why do you file such petitions in which we are compelled to impose costs," a bench of Justices S K Kaul and Abhay S Oka asked a counsel appearing for petitioner 'Govansh Sewa Sadan'.
The counsel, for his part, said he was seeking a direction to the central government to consider the matter.
The bench, however, asked, "Whose fundamental right is affected now that you have filed petition under Article 32 of the Constitution? Law is to be thrown to the winds because of you come to court with such petitions!"
The counsel said the cows are very important for human lives and it is for the government to take up such matters.
As the bench remained unconvinced, the counsel preferred to withdraw the plea.
