Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) [India], October 29 (ANI): Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister and BJP leader Uma Bharti on Wednesday emphasised the importance of linking cow conservation with alcohol prohibition, suggesting that discouraging alcohol consumption could promote cow milk consumption.

Speaking to reporters after the Cow Conservation Resolution Meeting, Bharti said, 'Cow protection and alcohol prohibition must be linked, because if we tell people not to drink alcohol, we'll be telling them to drink cow milk. We'll have to increase the number of cows.'

Highlighting the importance of expanding cattle resources, she noted that the current cow population in India stands at roughly one for every seven people. 'Today, there's one cow for every seven people in the country,' she said.

Bharti proposed providing cows to women under the Ladli Behna Yojna to increase their income from 3,000 to 8,000-10,000.

'Ladli Behnao should also get a good cow so that their income increases from Rs 3,000 to Rs 8,000- 10,000,' she added.

Earlier, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, emphasising the importance of cow worship said that Govardhan Puja will be celebrated across the state.

Speaking to ANI, CM Yadav said, 'Cows should always be worshipped. Govardhan Puja can be celebrated at any time, and it is a blessing from God. As Madhya Pradesh is an agricultural state, our sentiments are deeply connected to it.'

He further highlighted the state government's efforts to promote animal husbandry to boost milk production and ensure financial benefits for farmers. 'To support our farmers, we are promoting animal husbandry, and our government has decided to celebrate Govardhan Puja statewide,' Yadav added. (ANI)