After Karnataka’s cabinet passed the controversial anti-cow slaughter bill on Monday, Congress leader and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said he liked to eat beef and claimed he had the right to choose his food, PTI reported. .
“I once said in the Assembly that I eat cattle, who are you to ask?” Siddaramaiah said while speaking at an event to celebrate Congress Foundation Day in Bangalore. “It is my right, the habit of food is my right, who are you to question? If you don’t eat, leave it, I’m not going to force you ”.
The congressional leader added that his party members are wary of opposing the bill because they fear the reaction it would generate. “Our people keep quiet creating a feeling that what others say is correct,” added Siddaramaiah. “You should come out of such confusion, please.”
He noted that the new law would not only affect an individual’s food choices, but it would also seriously affect farmers in the state. “Where will the farmer send the old cattle like cows, buffalo?” he asked, adding that caring for a cow or buffalo costs around Rs 100 a day, an amount too high for small farmers to bear. Who will give that money? Farmers love cows too. “
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At a time of great distress for farmers, Karnataka’s cattle slaughter bill will make life worse
Karnataka’s cabinet decided on Monday to enact an ordinance to give effect to the draft law against the slaughter of cows. The legislation, which was approved by the state Legislative Assembly on December 9, hit a roadblock in the Karnataka Upper House, where the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party does not enjoy a majority.
The bill not only imposes a complete ban on the slaughter of all cows, bulls, oxen and calves, it also bans the slaughter of buffaloes under 13 years of age. Smuggling and transporting animals for slaughter is also a crime. The ordinance imposes severe punishment in case of violation of the legislation, including imprisonment for between three and seven years with a fine of not less than Rs 50,000 per cattle that can be extended up to Rs 5 lakh.
Critics say the legislation, which is in line with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s Hindutva policy of cow protectionism, undermines the dietary practices of many Indians, for whom beef is a cheap source of protein. The bill also penalizes those who work in the meat and leather industries that depend on the slaughter of livestock, many of whom are Muslim.
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