Gowda to request Prez not to give assent to Karna cattle bill

Former Prime Minister and JD(S) chief H D Deve Gowda will meet President Pratibha Patil to request her not to give her assent to a Karnataka legislation on preservation of cattle.

Former Prime Minister and JD(S) chief H D Deve Gowda will meet President Pratibha Patil to request her not to give her assent to a Karnataka legislation on preservation of cattle.

HT Image

Gowda described the Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Bill, recently passed by the Karnataka Assembly and Council, as "anti-farmer, anti-Dalit and anti-minorities".

He said that the legislation had "communal overtones" and was "bound to create friction" among different communities in the state.

"We will meet President of India on August 5 to request not to give the assent to the bill. We will submit a memorandum in this regard," Gowda told reporters after launching his party's membership drive for 2010-2012 in the national capital.

The legislation is going to affect the farming community and others who are engaged in trade in the state, he added.

Gowda said he will be accompanied by a 50-member party delegation which will include sitting MLAs, MLCs, former Ministers and sitting Members of Parliament.