Will ensure no heartburns over cattle slaughter issue: Harsh Vardhan

The government did not intend to force people to change their food habits, he said

Union Environment and Science Minister Harsh Vardhan on Thursday said the government was examining its controversial order banning cattle slaughter to ensure that "not even a single person gets heartburn over the issue".

The Minister was speaking to the media here after the Supreme Court asked the central government to file its response within two weeks over a petition by a Hyderabad-based lawyer who has called "discriminatory" and "unconstitutional" the May 26 notification of the Centre that bans the sale and purchase of cattle at animal markets for slaughter.

"The Supreme Court said what we have been saying for very long. In the days to come, we will give an answer to all of this," Harsh Vardhan said.

He said the Environment Ministry notification -- Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Markets) Rules, 2017, under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act -- was "misunderstood" as the government did not intend to force people to change their food habits.

"We have already said that whosoever has any concern related to this issue, we will seriously and honestly address those," the Minister told reporters on the sidelines of a function at the Delhi zoo.

"We will put a positive action in place to address every concern and ensure that not even a single person has heartburn on the issue."

The government notification triggered a widespread opposition in many states in the country. Many politicians, including those from the BJP, have also raised concerns over the move because it would cause huge economic burden on cattle farmers and traders.