Defiant Mamata challenges govt
West Bengal CM calls Centre’s new directive unconstitutional, DMK working president Stalin to hold protest
Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said on Monday that her government will not abide by the Centre’s new rule banning the sale of cows and buffaloes for slaughter.
“All secular parties are against this decision,” the CM said and added that she would work towards building a consensus on the issue among the opposition parties in the country.
Describing the government’s decision as “unconstitutional” and “undemocratic”, she questioned its timing and wondered why it was announced just before the month of Ramzaan.
Banerjee said the modification in rules by the Centre clearly infringe upon the rights of the states and make a mockery of the federal structure. “We are not bound by the Centre’s decision. This is a subject on the concurrent list. How can they bulldoze? Who are they to decide who will eat what ?” asked Banerjee.
Banerjee, who had been criticising the Centre’s decision to ban cow slaughter for a number of months, said her government will challenge the new notification in the courts.
“I love plants. They have life. One can say we should not chop potatoes, parval and other vegetables. Paddy plants also grow up and we cut it to get rice. Even that should be banned,” said the Bengal chief minister.
The annual meat business in India is estimated to be around ₹1 lakh crore. Most states hold weekly animal markets and many states operate them near borders to attract traders from neighbouring states. “It is ridiculous that the Centre wants to decide where the markets will be held,” said Banerjee.
MK STALIN TO LEAD PROTEST TOMORROW
DMK working president MK Stalin will lead a protest on May 31 here against the Centre’s ban on the sale of cattle for slaughter at animal markets.
The party also hit out at the Palaniswami government for “keeping mum” on the issue when the neighbouring states of Kerala and Karnataka have opposed it. In a release issued here, the DMK said the right to choice of food given by the Constitution has been “snatched away” by the Centre.
MEGHALAYA BJP MAN VOWS CHEAPER BEEF
A BJP leader from Meghalaya said the party would make beef cheaper if voted to power in the northeastern state which is a due for assembly election next year.
“Consumption of beef is a routine thing among Garo people, most of who are Christians. But the prices are very high as there is no regularisation. If elected, our party will regularise sale, which will bring prices down,” Marak told HT.