July 16, 2010
Anti-cow slaughter bill passed in Indian state
If the anti-cow slaughter bill gets governor H R Bhardwaj's approval, then beef will disappear from Karnataka, a state in Southern India.
As per the new rule, beef refers to flesh of cattle in any form. Cattle mean cow and buffalo - both male and female - and their progeny.
The controversial Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Bill, 2010, was passed in the legislative council on Thursday (Jul 15) amid protests by the opposition. Once it gets the governor's assent and the president's approval, it becomes a law, thus affecting eating habits of many communities, besides dealing a blow to the industry.
Though both BJP and JD(S) members were in the well protesting, the bill was put to voice vote. The opposition members shouted slogans against the government and tore the bill, but it was passed amid the chaos.
Normally, the governor gives his assent to the bills passed in both Houses of the legislature. However, that may not be the case with regard to this bill. On June 19, the governor had snubbed the government and expressed his reservations over the bill. Taking exception to animal husbandry minister Revunaik Belamagi's statement that he (the governor) was happy over the bill, the governor had said, "I am upset with the minister for spreading fabricated news. In fact, I have my own reservations about the bill. Personally, I am not happy with it.''
It prohibits slaughter of cattle, sale, usage and possession of beef, puts restriction on transport of cattle and also prohibits sale, purchase or disposal of cattle for slaughter.
Chief minister B S Yeddyurappa has given examples of states and countries where the ban is in force. They include Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jammu and Kashmir, and foreign countries like Cuba and Iran. Cow slaughter is banned in Gujarat, but it does not include buffalo.
For slaughtering cattle, penalty entails imprisonment of one year to seven years, with or without a fine ranging from INR25,000-INR50,000 (US$535-US$1,070). For other offences in the act, imprisonment ranges from one year to three years, with or without a fine of INR10,000-INR25,000 (US$214-US$535).
