MANGALORE: Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal have demanded the state not to reverse the previous BJP government’s decision of banning cow slaughter in the state.
Talking to the reporters here on Friday, B Manjunath Mandya, Karnataka South Zone convener of Bajrang Dal urged chief minister Siddaramaiah to implement The Karnataka Prevention of cow slaughter and Preservation (Amendment) Bill, 2012 and to take measures to shutdown illegal slaughter houses in the state within a month. “If the government fails to meet our two demands, we will raid and seal the illegal slaughter houses,” he said.
It may be recalled that the newly-elected Congress government decided not to allow a ban on cow slaughter in the state. “We will go back to the Karnataka Prevention of Cow Slaughter and Cattle Prevention Act, 1964. We will withdraw the bill amended last year,” chief minister Siddaramaiah had said.
Congress had opposed the bill and even petitioned the governor against giving his ascent. By amending the 1964 act, the BJP had enlarged the definition of cattle, made punishment harsher and increased the age of animal to be slaughtered. As opposition leader, Siddaramaiah had argued that it affected beef eaters and people involved in activities such as transportation of cattle, leather industry and meat packaging industry.
According to the new act, which is yet to get President’s ascent, slaughter of cow, calf of a cow and bull, bullock, buffalo male or female and calf of she-buffalo is prohibited. Only animals aged 15 years or above can be slaughtered, that too after obtaining permission from the competent authority.
Later Sharan Pumpwell, convener of Bajrang Dal slammed government’s decision to introduce arrack in the state.
“We are not doing anything illegal in the name of moral policing, but moral policing is done for the welfare of the youth in the country,” they claimed.
