Within days after withdrawing it, the BJP government in Karnataka today reintroduced in the assembly a bill banning cow slaughter amid protests and dharna by opposition Congress.
The Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Bill, 2010, was withdrawn only last week, without assigning any reason.
Exchange of words between the government and the Opposition began much before the bill was moved for introduction as Opposition Congress leader Siddaramaiah declared “we will oppose the bill at the introduction stage itself”.
Minister for Law S Suresh Kumar asserted that “we have right to do it (introduce the bill)”.
Pandemonium prevailed as Animal Husbandry Minister Revunaik Bilamagi rose to introduce the bill which was described by Siddaramaiah as “draconian”, anti-poor, anti-Dalit and anti-backward classes, charging that BJP has hidden agenda.
The Karnataka Prevention of Cow Slaughter and Preservation of Animals Act 1964 is already under implementation in the state and there was no need for a fresh Act, Siddaramaiah and Congress Deputy leader T B Jayachandra said.
“It is against the right and culture of a majority of people,” Siddaramaiah said.