Karnataka assembly passes cow-slaughter bill; up to 7 years jail

The Karnataka legislative assembly on Wednesday, passed the anti-cow slaughter bill prohibiting illegal sale, purchase, transportation and slaughtering of cattle including cow, calf and buffalo.

The ruling BJP passed the Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Bill, 2020, on the lines of Uttar Pradesh, amid opposition from the Congress members who staged a walkout in protest. The new law has brought stringent punishment including imprisonment of minimum three years up to seven years and a minimum Rs 50,000 penalty which could be extended to Rs five lakh.

The legislation empowers the police to inspect and seize vehicles that transport cattle and the premises where they are slaughtered.

The law bans transportation of cattle within the state as well as from Karnataka to other states. The transportation is allowed only with due permission from the competent authority and against the payment of fee, if the purpose is to use cattle for agricultural or animal husbandry activities.

The bill, however, does not mention or prohibit the consumption of beef.

Slaughtering of buffalo above the age of 13 years, cattle that suffer from incurable disease, and for experimental or research purposes by recognised institutes is allowed.

B S Yediyurappa government has said that it will build institutions and gau-shalas to shelter the seized cattle.

The BJP had introduced the anti-cow slaughter bill in 2010 when it was in power, which made even the possession of beef illegal. But the bill was shelved as it failed to get the Governor’s consent.

Source : Economic Times