Explained: The Row Over Anti-Cow Slaughter Law In Karnataka

Congress-led Karnataka government's decision to revisit the contentious anti-cow slaughter law enacted by the previous BJP government has sparked a political battle in Karnataka.

The opposition BJP has staged a massive protest against Karnataka Animal Husbandry Minister K Venkatesh's statement that if buffaloes can be slaughtered, why not cows.

The protests took place in Bengaluru, Chikkaballapura, Mysuru, Davangere, and a few other parts of the state.

Amid the row, let's take a look at the anti-cow slaughter legislation and why the Congress government wants to withdraw it.

The anti-cow slaughter law in Karnataka

The Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Act, 2020, seeks a total ban on the slaughter of cows in the state and stringent punishment for those who indulge in smuggling, illegal transportation, atrocities on cows, and slaughtering them.

Besides cows and calves, the bill also intends to protect buffaloes and their calves less than 12 years of age. There is a provision to set up special courts for the speedy trial of the accused people. It also makes provision for setting up Goshala or cattle sheds for the protection of livestock.

Notably, cow slaughter was already prohibited in several other states, including Gujarat, Maharashtra, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh, in accordance with Article 48 of the Constitution.

The majority of states and union territories in India except for Arunachal Pradesh, Kerala, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Lakshadweep have legislation in place regarding cow slaughter.

According to a 2017 report by India Spend, laws banning cow slaughter in many states are about 50 years old and were enacted during the tenure of the Indian National Congress.

The BJP government led by B S Yediyurappa in 2010 had got the controversial Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Bill passed, which proposed to replace the Karnataka Prevention of Cow Slaughter and Cattle Preservation Act, 1964.

The bill had widened the definition of 'cattle' and imposed a blanket ban on cattle slaughter, coupled with stringent penalty clauses for violation. However, the Siddaramaiah-headed Congress government that came to power in 2013 withdrew the bill that was before the President for his assent.

Why does Congress want to withdraw the anti-cow slaughter law?

K Venkatesh, the Animal Husbandry Minister of Karnataka, stirred controversy with his statement questioning why buffaloes could be slaughtered while cows were protected.

"The previous BJP government introduced a bill allowing the slaughter of buffaloes but prohibited cow slaughter. We will discuss and make a decision," he told the media.

Venkatesh also suggested that slaughtering aged cows could assist farmers in managing cattle-related challenges.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed concerns about the lack of clarity in the law implemented by the previous BJP government and affirmed that the state government would hold discussions regarding the issue in the cabinet meeting.

"There already existed a Karnataka Prevention of Cow Slaughter and Cattle Preservation Act, 1964 but it lacked clarity due to which an amendment was brought. However, the Congress government again went back to the 1964 Act. BJP had again brought an amendment. We will discuss this in the Cabinet. We have not decided anything yet," the CM clarified.