The Centre’s move to ban the sale of cows and buffaloes for slaughter through animal markets has triggered severe criticism from the state of Kerala. From the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) to the opposition, all have condemned the government’s decision.
“We will seek legal resort against this. The Centre has taken undue advantage of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and has misused it. By this move, the central government, in practice, is banning the consumption of meat, which is not acceptable,” said Kerala’s Agriculture Minister VS Sunil Kumar while reacting to the new ‘Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, reported The Qunit.
According to Sunil, the step will discourage farmers from breeding cattle. He also went on to say that the Centre was interfering in the powers of the states by bringing out the law.
Another leader from CPI (M) and state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, too, condemned the step. He said it will witness strong opposition. Besides, KPCC President MM Hassan called the decision “undemocratic” and “unconstitutional.”
“It is an outright violation of human rights. Banning cow, buffalo slaughter, especially in states such as Kerala, is denying the people their right to eat. Since there is no law that prohibits cow slaughter in Kerala, we will not allow for this regulation to come into practice,” said MM Hassan, KPCC President to TNM.
“The cow politics BJP is implementing in UP is for the purpose of polarising communities. By implementing ban on cow slaughter in Kerala, BJP is trying to do the same in the state. Congress will resist such an action,” he added.
However, BJP’s K Surendran welcomed the move saying, “In Kerala, thousands of unhealthy cows are brought across the border from other states and slaughtered. This creates serious health issues.”
—
