Killing cows is illegal in most Indian states but there are an estimated 32,000 illegal abattoirs and 13.7 million cows are believed to be slaughtered by Muslims for the leather industry. Animal rights activists in India also claim that the doe-eyed, hump-backed white Brahma cattle that are to be found on almost every Indian street are subjected to various abuses, including forced pregnancies to produce more milk. The cow protection commission was set up to protect the holy cows, and research conducted by doctors involved in the project revealed that the cows' urine had medicinal properties.

The healing properties of cow dung and cow's urine are also mentioned in ancient Hindu texts. The research conducted by doctors at the cow-protection commission indicates that the urine can cure anything from skin diseases, kidney and liver ailments to obesity and heart ailments.

ManuScript.IV.39: " Let him [ householder ] pass by (a mound of) earth, a cow, an idol, a Brahmana, clarified butter, honey, a crossway, and well-known trees, turning his right hand towards them. "This is placed on the heads of children possessed of evil spirits. When the demoness Putana tried to poison the young Krishna, Yasoda waved a cow-taiil over him to guard him from her; whilst Nanda placed dried powdered cow-dung on his head. The 5 products of the cow, milk, curds, ghee, urine and dung are all used in purificatory ceremonies, and cow-dung is `worshipped as an emblem of the discus of Vishnu, as is the yellow pigment of the cow'."

ManuScript.XI.166: " (To swallow) the five products of the cow (pankagavya) is the atonement for stealing eatables of various kinds, a vehicle, a bed, a seat, flowers, roots, or fruit [ for Arya men ].

ManuScript.XI.213: " (Subsisting on) the urine of cows, cowdung, milk, sour milk, clarified butter, and a decoction of Kusa-grass, and fasting during one (day and) night, (that is) called a Samtapana Krikkhra. Gomutra, Cow's urine ingredient of a mixture, antidote for obesity,ingredient of a mixture, purgative,ingredient of a plaster, eliminates vermin from ulcer,ingredient of a liquid medicine, for controlling vayu disorders,ingredient of a wine, or taken alone specific for abdominal dropsy and many other uses.