Haridwar: Head of Dwarkashardapeeth Shankaracharya Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati on Tuesday said cow is the mother of not only Hindus but also of Muslims as its milk is as much beneficial for believers of one faith as for those of another.

In a statement in Haridwar, Swami Swaroopanand said a Hindu gets as much protein out of cow's milk as a Muslim. So it is absolutely correct to say that the cow is the mother of not only Hindus but also of Muslims.

Noting that saving cow is in the interest of Indians no matter which religion they belong to, the Shankaracharya said it is on the basis of the provisions of the Constitution of India that laws have been framed in different parts of the country against cow slaughter and there is nothing wrong with that.

He said the laws against cow slaughter were challenged from time to time in the Supreme Court but such pleas have always been rejected.

Speaking of the many utilities of cow, Swaroopanand said apart from the nutritional benefits of cow milk, its urine is used to cure deadly diseases besides various uses of its skin and bones after its death.

Apart from laying down laws against cow slaughter, there should also be a ban on sale of its meat, he said.