Animal Husbandry Minister K. Venkatesh’s statement suggesting withdrawal of the anti-cow slaughter law has triggered a political battle in Karnataka.
The opposition BJP, which is planning protests across the state, has been angered by the Congress government’s announcement.
The previous BJP administration had considered the anti-cow slaughter law a major priority, aligning with its core ideology. The Congress ministers’ announcement of their withdrawal has irked the BJP, which recently lost the Karnataka assembly elections.
“We will not allow the Congress government to withdraw the anti-cow slaughter law. We will protest across the state on Monday and in Bengaluru on Tuesday against such a move.” Hindu, We will intensify our agitation if the government does not change its plan, he said.
Amidst the development, let’s look at the anti-cow slaughter law in the state and its various aspects:
anti cow slaughter law in karnataka
The Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Act, 2020, which was passed by the BJP-led government in Karnataka in February 2021, extended the existing ban on cow slaughter to include bullocks, bullocks, bullocks and calves. However, even before this law, cow slaughter was prohibited in several other states, including Gujarat, Maharashtra, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, as per Article 48 of the Constitution. Except for Arunachal Pradesh, Kerala, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Lakshadweep, all states and union territories in India have laws regarding cow slaughter. It is noteworthy that laws banning cow slaughter in many states are almost 50 years old and were enacted during the tenure of the Indian National Congress, according to a 2017 report India spending,
The BJP-led government in Karnataka had earlier introduced two bills in 2010 and 2012, which aimed to amend the 1964 Act. However, these bills were withdrawn in 2014 after a change in the state government. The current law, passed in 2021, imposes a more comprehensive ban, banning the slaughter of cows, calves, bullocks, oxen and she-buffaloes under the age of thirteen, in contrast to the 1964 act in Karnataka, which allowed the slaughter of cows Was. Oxen, bullocks and buffaloes.
Why did Congress say that they want to withdraw it?
Karnataka Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science Minister K Venkatesh on Saturday highlighted the challenges faced by farmers in the management of aged cattle and disposal of dead animals. Questioning the difference between the slaughter of buffaloes and bullocks versus the slaughter of cows, he raised the point that if the former is permitted, why should the latter be treated differently.
The minister emphasized that the amendment in the bill would bring more benefits to the farmers in the state. This suggests that the proposed changes are aimed at addressing the difficulties faced by farmers in maintaining aged cattle and handling their carcasses.
However, BJP strongly opposed it.
Later, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the legislation would be discussed in the cabinet.
According to him, the Karnataka Prevention of Cow Slaughter and Protection of Cattle Act, 1964 was already in place, but it lacked clarity, due to which an amendment was brought. However, the Congress government again went back to the 1964 Act. “They (BJP) again brought an amendment. We will discuss in the cabinet. We have not decided anything yet,” the CM clarified.
Why did BJP oppose it?
The Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday opposed Karnataka Animal Husbandry Minister K Venkatesh’s statement that if buffaloes can be culled then why not cows.
Referring to the Karnataka Prevention of Cow Slaughter and Cattle Preservation Act, also known as the anti-cow slaughter law, Venkatesh had said in Mysuru on Saturday that the government would relook at the law.
Their argument was that the previous BJP government had enacted a law allowing the slaughter of buffaloes.
Responding to a question on the difficulties faced by farmers in managing old cows, the minister shared his own instance where he had to bring an earthmover to bury his dead cow.
Protests took place in Bengaluru, Chikkaballapura, Mysore, Davanagere and some other parts of the state. BJP workers in Mysuru raised slogans against the Congress government’s decision to revisit the anti-cow slaughter law.
Responding to Venkatesh’s comment, former minister and BJP MLA V Sunil Kumar accused the Congress of lacking love for both the country and the cow.
“Whatever Indian ethos people follow, the Congress hates them. The repeal of the Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act is one such example,” Kumar told reporters in his assembly constituency Karkala, according to a report in The Hindustan Times.
He said, ‘BJP had enacted a law to stop cow slaughter after several consultations with the people. Even when the BJP passed it, the Congress objected. “Congress leaders and ministers are repeatedly saying that the government will withdraw the Act and revise the textbooks. These clearly indicate the objective of the Congress government.
Former BJP minister Kota Srinivasa Pujari urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and other Congress ministers to empathize with the sentiments of the people.
“People have voted for you and you have been elected as the chief minister. But, it doesn’t mean that you have all the power and do as you want. If you bring amendments and changes in the cow slaughter prohibition law, BJP members will strongly oppose it and fight against any move,” said Pujari, a member of the Legislative Council.
“When the BJP was ruling, it brought the Cow Slaughter Prohibition Bill in both the Houses in support of the farmers and to protect the cows. It has become a law because Hindus worship the cow and it is necessary to protect it.
with inputs from agencies