Cow slaughter ban li ed

– India’s top court yesterday stayed a nationwide ban imposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government on the sale of cattle for slaughter that had provoked outcry in many states.

The Supreme Court upheld a decision by a lower court staying the ban imposed in May, which prohibited the sale and purchase of cows – animals considered sacred by Hindus – for slaughter. The sudden ruling had sparked protests against what many saw as an overreach by the Hindu-right Bharatiya Janata Party and many states where cow slaughter was legal vowed to fight it. – AFP

New Delhi