Karnataka: Anti-cow slaughter bill passed

Bengaluru

Despite the opposition having an upper hand in the numbers game, the BJP-led BS Yediyurappa government in Karnataka pushed through the anti-cow slaughter bill in the Legislative Council. The bill, passed by the Legislative Assembly, had faced a stumbling block in the Council where the BJP had found itself short in numbers.

On Monday, the Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Bill 2020 was passed following a voice vote. Surprisingly, the vote took place even as the legislators from Congress and JD(S) continued protests, several even tearing the copies.

But the protests looked a bit stage-managed as the protesting Opposition did not press for a division of votes and allowed BJP to have the Bill passed through voice votes. The BJP had 28 MLCs present at the time of voting while the Congress and the JD(S) collectively had 31 MLCs. Despite the numbers, the Opposition parties failed to stop the passage of the Bill.

The vote came after a lengthy debate in which Opposition legislators raised concerns about the bill, particularly the legal protection offered to ' good samaritans'.

Under the new law, only male or female buffalo above 13 years can be slaughtered. However, cow, calf of a cow, bull, bullock are prohibited from slaughter. It means, beef will be unavailable in the state and only buffalo meat from buffaloes above 13 can be sold.