Spat in RS over cow slaughter issue

When Congress Vijay Darda while moving his private members' resolution to ban meat export said that BJP-ruled states were not taking enough steps to stop cow slaughter.

This was objected to by BJP deputy leader in the House Ravi Shankar Prasad.

At this, Commerce and Industries Minister Anand Sharma intervened to say that BJP should not make allegations against Congress for not taking strong measures to check cow slaughter.

Sharma said the NDA government had not enacted any legislation to ban cow slaughter which was done only when the Congress-led UPA came to power in 2004.

The minister alleged that BJP was making the issue an emotive one for political gains.

Interrupting the minister, Prasad stood on his seat and assailed him for "politicising" the issue by casting aspersion on NDA.

Refusing to yield, Sharma said he was not "politicising" the matter but was only making an effort to put the record straight.

Sharma and Prasad continued to indulge in verbal duel for some time ignoring Chair's request.

The spat ended when EMS Natciappan, who was in the Chair, urged the minister to speak in length while replying to the debate on the resolution.

Earlier, moving the resolution, Darda made a strong case for banning export of meat for commercial gains which, he said, is a taking toll on animal population in the country.