Outrage as calf killed in protest over India slaughter ban

NEW DELHI: The youth wing of India’s main opposition Congress party caused outrage Monday after killing a calf in public to protest against a controversial ban on the sale of cattle for slaughter.

Members of the Youth Congress were filmed slaughtering the animal — officials refused to say if it was a cow or an ox — and shouting anti-government slogans in the southern state of Kerala.

Cows are considered sacred by Hindus, and their slaughter as wel l as the possession or consumption of beef, is banned in most Indian states. Some impose up to life imprisonment for infringements.

But Kerala and a handful of others allow cow slaughter and beef consumption.

Police in Kerala accused the youths of “causing a public nuisance”.

“We are investigating. It is a sensitive issue,” a police officer told AFP without giving details.

Deputy police superintendent PP Sadanandan said a case had been registered against the protesters “because the slaughter of animals in public places is illegal”.

The protesters were demonstrating against a federal ban issued last week by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party ( BJP) on the sale and purchase of cattle from markets for slaughter.

The move threatens to effectively choke off India’s supply of cow meat — angering some states where beef is a delicacy. — AFP