Kerala ministers, others flay new anti-slaughter rules

The central government's announcement of stringent rules on sale of cows and buffaloes at animal markets across India on Friday, aimed at deterring slaughter, took several Kerala ministers and the Congress-led opposition by surprise.

State Agriculture Minister V.S. Sunilkumar said this was nothing but implementing the Rashtriya Swyamsevak Sangh (RSS) agenda and that it would not work in Kerala.

"Under the guise of 'cruelty to animals' clause, the Centre is trying to push through the agenda of RSS. This is a foolish decision and we will deal with this legally," the Minister said.

Stringent rules have been put in place on Friday for cattle trade, including the animal's movement and also a cooling period of six months for re-sale of bulls, bullocks, cows, buffaloes, steers, heifers and calves, as well as the camel trade.

State Minister for Local Self Government K.T. Jaleel said every state has its own eating habits. "This new law is not going to be accepted as generally people will accept only if they feel they are doing a wrong."

State PWD Minister G. Sudhakaran said this was the latest in the series of fascist acts of the Narendra Modi government.

"These things can't be put out simply through an order. Has Parliament taken the states into confidence or has there been any discussion with them? These things won't work out in Kerala," said Sudhakaran.

State Congress President M.M. Hassan said the order was unconstitutional and infringement of the basic rights of people.

"The BJP is trying to bring to Kerala the strategy of 'cow politics' as they did in Uttar Pradesh. Here cow slaughter is not banned. We will oppose this tooth and nail," said Hassan.

State BJP President Kummanem Rajasekheran, however, said that a section of the media here was presenting the new order in a twisted manner, as there was no ban at all.

"It's most unfortunate that M.M. Hassan went to the extent of saying that this order was issued on the eve of Ramadan," Rajasekheran said.

--IANS

sg/nir/vt