The ordinance passed by Karnataka regarding stopping the killing of cattle came into effect on Tuesday after the governor cleared it. The said ordinance clears the way to punish people for killing cattle and protects those ‘acting in good faith’ to save such cattle.
The bill regarding the issue is yet to be cleared by the Legislative Council.
According to the Ordinance passed, those who are found guilty of Slaughter of Cattle will be punished with imprisonment of up to 7 years and fine or both. A fine of either Rs. 50,000/- will be imposed on the accused or any number ranging between Rs. 50,000/- to 5 lakhs would be imposed. A second timer would be sentenced with imprisonment for 7 years and fine ranging from Rs. 1,00,000/- to Rs. 10,00,000/-.
However, for those who deal in the meat of buffaloes (13 years old only), slaughter is allowed for them, but only if they are certified by a competent authority. The ordinance provides for an exemption for the slaughter of terminally ill cattle suffering from contagious disease and also for those who went through medical procedures for research purposes.
The ordinance, while offering protection for ‘persons acting in Good Faith’, it states that no lawsuit, prosecution, or other legal proceedings can be launched against the competent authority or any person.
The government led by Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa of the states took the ordinance route after the Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Bill, which was passed by the assembly last month during the winter session amid strong opposition by the Congress, was not approved by the legislative council. The council was adjourned indefinitely before the bill was tabled there.
The former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, on December 9’ 2020, said that the anti-cow slaughter bill had been introduced and passed without any discussion.
“The law will be misused to polarize people on communal lines and target Muslims,” argued the Congress leaders.
For the bill to become a law, it has to be passed by the council, followed by the assent of the Governor.
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