New Delhi, August 20 (HS): Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal on Wednesday flagged the growing menace of illegal dairies operating in Delhi and other major cities, calling it a grave issue of both public safety and animal welfare.

Speaking during a Special Mention in the Upper House, Maliwal said hundreds of unauthorized dairies continue to function without licenses or monitoring. She noted that after milking, cows and buffaloes are often abandoned on city streets, where they are left without adequate food or water, forcing them to feed on garbage and collapse on roads. This not only reflects cruelty but also poses a significant risk of road accidents, she warned.

Citing alarming data, she informed the House that between 2023 and 2025, more than 2,500 road accidents in Delhi were linked to stray cattle left behind by illegal dairies. She also highlighted the absence of proper health check-ups, vaccination, and nutrition in such facilities, which has led to widespread animal diseases and infections.

“This is not merely a question of cow welfare, but also a serious matter of citizen safety,” Maliwal stressed, urging the government to take the following steps:

Launch strict action against illegal dairies.

Establish modern, standard-based Gaushalas (cattle shelters).

Underscoring that cows hold a revered place in Indian society as symbols of motherhood, Maliwal said it was imperative to create well-managed shelters that treat cows with dignity and compassion while ensuring public safety on the streets.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar