Afaq Ali alias Munna in Etawah district said that when his wife asked him to choose between her and his 14 cows, he went for the latter.

Kanpur: A Muslim man in Etawah left his wife over his love for a herd of 14 cows.

Afaq Ali alias Munna in Etawah district said that when his wife asked him to choose between her and his 14 cows, he went for the latter.

The story is 13 years old, but the man is sharing its details at a time when some vigilante cow-protection groups have in recent times targeted Muslims in some states over allegations of cow slaughter and beef consumption.

After Afaq made his choice in his cows, Afroz Jahan, who had married him in 2001, left his house at Bais Khwaja locality immediately. People in the village said that the panchayat tried to encourage the couple to reach a compromise, but Afaq felt that his love for bovine companions was greater.

"I am separated from my wife, not because of another woman but because of my cows," Afaq, now 55, told TOI with a smile on his face. Family members said Afaq purchased his first cow at the age of 15. "Now, he has 14," his cousin Anwar said.

Afaq, a non-vegetarian, starts his day early. After milking the cows, he takes out his pushcart to purchase feed. "I also collect fresh green fodder from nearby forests for the cows," he said.

"I am very particular about their health. I go for periodic checks. I know home remedies to cure common diseases," he said.

Afaq, who originally belongs to Kanpur Dehat district, said, "Though it (keeping cows) is a business for me, I am lucky to have been able to be serving the sacred animals for the last 30 years."

"Villagers praises me for my love and devotion. But some relatives criticise me for what I did to my wife. She used to quarrel with me every day for my obsession, asking me to sell the cows. My inner voice never allowed me to do so. I never regret my decision. I am at peace," he said.

Animal activist Rajiv Chauhan said Afaq was an inspiration. "His love for cows is inspirational for us. At the age of 55, he serves cows with missionary zeal," Chauhan said.

