And Now, Protection for Cow Vigilantes

The Bill, a revised version of a 2010 one, has proposed a ban on all forms of cattle slaughter by recommending stringent punishment for violators. This has been the trend in most states

- Shaheen Parween

AMIDST uproar, the Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Bill, 2020 was passed by the state assembly on December 9. Deputy Chief Minister CN Ashwath Nara yan reportedly said that the Bill would provide protection to “gau rakshaks” (cow vigilantes) whose lives were at risk earlier.

The new Bill, however, is a revised version of the 2010 one passed by the BS Yediyurappa-led BJP government which had proposed a ban on all forms of cattle slaughter by recommending stringent punishment for violators. However, that Bill was stalled in 2013 when the Congress government led by Siddaramaiah came to power and the governor refused to give assent to the Bill.

The Congress government then reverted to the Karnataka Prevention of Cow Slaughter and Preservation of Animals Act, 1964, which was less stringent and permitted cow slaughter with some restrictions. The 1964 Act permitted the slaughter of a bullock and a buffalo (male or female) if a competent authority certified it to be above 12 years, incapacitated for breeding or deemed sick. The Act, however, banned the killing of any cow or calf of a female-buffalo. The new Bill was reintroduced after the BJP cow protection cell in the state wrote a letter to Yediyurappa requesting him to reintroduce the 2010 Bill in the state.