Karnataka Government / 'Buffalo can be slaughtered then why not cow', Karnataka government minister's statement

Karnataka Government: The Siddaramaiah government of Karnataka is considering amendment in the law, the Cow Slaughter and Cattle Protection (Amendment) Bill 2020 brought by the previous Bommai government of the state. A statement by Karnataka's Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science Minister K Venkatesh is also pointing in the same direction. Describing the amendment in the law in the interest of farmers, Venkatesh said that if buffaloes can be slaughtered then why not cows?

The Karnataka animal husbandry minister tried to justify his argument by saying that farmers were facing difficulties in keeping old cattle and disposing of their carcasses after death, reports TOI. Citing his own example, he claimed that recently he had to face difficulties in disposing of the carcass of a dead cow in his farm house.

The process of amending the law regarding tame animals and then withdrawing the bill is not new. BS Yeddyurappa's previous BJP government introduced cow bills in the years 2010 and 2012, amending the 1964 Act. However, after this, when the Congress government came to power in the state, it withdrew the bill. After this the Bommai government came, it amended again and now the discussion is going on to reverse the law again.

The minister cited the 1964 law

He cited the 1964 Act that allows slaughter of bulls and buffaloes, while the new law prohibits slaughter of cows, calves and bulls of all ages and buffaloes below 13 years of age. He said that when the law allows slaughter of bullocks and buffaloes, then why can't cows be slaughtered.

Significantly, in February 2021, the Bommai government had passed the Karnataka Prevention of Cow Slaughter and Protection of Cattle (Amendment) Bill, 2020 by voice vote amidst a lot of uproar in the Assembly. Opposition parties opposed the bill and were also seen tearing copies of the bill in the House.

Siddaramaiah government may bring an ordinance soon

Now that the government has changed, the discussion of withdrawing this law has intensified. There is a lot of discussion going on in the political circles of Karnataka that the new Siddaramaiah government may soon bring an ordinance to withdraw it. This statement of the Animal Husbandry Minister of Karnataka is also indicating that the new government may take some steps in this regard soon.