The former royal family of Tonk (Rajasthan) should be complimented for doing away with the 150-year-old tradition of sacrificing a camel on Eid-ul-Zuha. Several Islamic intellectuals have also made welcome appeal for a total ban on cow slaughter as a gesture of respect to Hindu sentiments.
The Union Government should impose a total ban on cow slaughter rather than leave the matter as a State subject, because the cow is worshipped by a majority in the Hindu community of the country. In any case, cow slaughter is banned in quite a few States.
People having bungalows (with big lawns) in towns and cities, and farm houses, should not only be permitted to rear cows in the premises, but rather, they should be encouraged and motivated to rear cows. Many people in India copy the Western culture and keep pets such as dogs (which is fine), but they do not keep cows (which in fact can keep an entire family healthy).