New Delhi: A Rajasthan High Court judge has presented a unique theory on mating of peacocks, stating that the bird is accorded the status of the national bird of India because of its lifelong celibacy.
“Peacock was made the national bird of India because it is brahmachari (celibate). He is a lifelong celibate. Peahen doesn’t need to have sex to get pregnant. It just swallows tears of the peacock. A peacock or a peahen is then born,” HC judge Mahesh Chand Sharma said on Thursday night.
Justice Sharma, who stands retired from Friday, also suggested because of the celibacy of the peacock, its feather was worn by Lord Krishna.
“Hindu god Krishna used the peacock’s feather [because of the] celibacy of the bird. His feathers are so pious,” he added.
Twitter exploded after Justice Sharma’s comments became public.
Reacting to his comments, Congress spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi said, “Cow intakes oxygen, emits oxygen. Peacock is a brahmachari. Some wise words from Judge Sharma. Must correct our textbooks as soon as possible.”
“A peacock and peahen are just good friends. When she breaks his heart, he cries and the peahen gets pregnant. Is that a High Court judge talking,” tweeted painter Rajeev Malik.
“I learnt something today from a High Court judge — that a peahen gets pregnant drinking tears of a peacock. Feeling enriched,” tweeted software engineer Kishwar Chand.
Interestingly, Justice Sharma has also urged the Centre to declare the cow as India’s national animal.
“Keeping in mind Articles 48 and 51A (G) of the Constitution and to provide legal entity for proper protection and conservation of cow, it is expected from the government that cow is declared a national animal,” he stated.
He also said that cow killers should be sentenced to life imprisonment.
Citing Hindu scriptures, Justice Sharma said that the cow’s milk has always been used to cure various diseases.
“I have cited all these holy books to show how important cow is in our ancient literature. I have even quoted the most important Hindu scripture, the Gita. I have made the recommendations to the Centre regarding making cow the national animal. It is the voice of my soul that is talking,” he told media.
Reacting to his comments, former Supreme Court judge AK Ganguli said Justice Sharma’s claim was “uncalled for and not scientifically correct.”
“I have heard the mating calls of peacocks in Delhi’s Tuhglaq Road when I was a Supreme Court judge,” Ganguli, who has also served as the chairman of West Bengal Human Rights Commission, said.
Justice Ganguli also flayed Justice Sharma’s for his suggestion to make cow the national animal.
“It is his own imagination. Making the cow national animal would not mean they are protected. This is not the way to stop slaughtering of cows. A comprehensive view needs to be taken and not guided by sentiments,” he said.
