After the bill was presented in the assembly, the cows were brought to the Vidhana Soudha.
Bangalore:
A controversial law prohibiting the slaughter of cows in Karnataka, which prescribes a harsh punishment including seven years in prison and a fine of 10 lakh rupees for offenders, was passed in the assembly last night without discussion after an opposition strike.
The main opposition Congress boycotts the assembly in protest at the way the bill was presented and passed without notice. “Congress always does these things. I would ask you to attend the assembly,” Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa said today, stating that bills do not need to be on the agenda before presentation.
After the bill was presented to the assembly earlier in the day, the cows were taken to the Vidhana Soudha, or Secretariat, and the Minister of Livestock, Prabhu Chavan, placed a puja on them, proudly announcing later that it was the first time a “Gau (cow) Puja” had taken place there.
“This is the blessing of the six million people of Karnataka (and) the high-level leaders. I thank the Chief Minister and the leaders for giving me this opportunity. This is the first time the cow puja has been done here.” Chavan said. he told NDTV.
Karnataka joins other BJP-ruled states such as Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh to implement a strict law against the slaughter of cows and beef, which is defined in the new law as the meat of cattle, including cows, calves, bulls. , oxen and buffalo under 13 years of age.
Karnataka’s 2020 cattle slaughter prevention and preservation bill seeks a total ban on the slaughter of cows in the state and imposes severe punishment for those guilty of smuggling, illegal transportation, atrocities on cows or their slaughter. .
Violators can face three to seven years in jail or a fine of Rs 50,000 per cattle, which could amount to Rs 5 lakhs. In the event of a repeat offense, the fine can range from one lakh rupee to 10 lakh per animal along with seven years’ imprisonment. For the transportation, sale and purchase of livestock, the punishment ranges from three to five years with a fine of Rs 50,000.
The law establishes special courts to expedite trials and the police will have powers to conduct searches and seizures.
Those who tend livestock will be protected, says the law.
When the government introduced the bill, MLAs in Congress led by opposition leader Siddaramaiah rushed to the center of the chamber and raised slogans. They alleged that the bill was presented without discussion at the meeting that decides the assembly’s agenda.
“We had discussed yesterday that no new bills will be presented. We had agreed that only ordinances would be passed. Now he (Chavan) has suddenly introduced this bill against the slaughter of cows,” said former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
“Only a cowardly government, which cannot debate, can behave like this. They cannot stop us with their autocratic behavior. We will bring this to the people to fight against corruption and despotism by BJP,” Siddaramaiah said in a series. of tweets after the bill was passed.
Congress alleges that the law will be misused to polarize people along communal lines and attack Muslims.
Mr. Chavan referred to similar laws in Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat and led a team of officials to these states to study their implementation. The head of BJP in Karnataka, Nalin Kumar Kateel, said the cattle smuggling had instilled “fear” among farmers, cow keepers and herders and was “affecting social harmony”.
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