Karnataka: Yediyurappa Govt Looks To Ban Cow Slaughter; BJP Promised Anti-Cow Slaughter Law In Manifesto 

If the words of Karnataka's animal husbandry minister Prabhu Chauhan are anything to go by, then the state may soon have a ban on the slaughter of cows.

Chauhan said the ban, which was part of the party's election promises would come into force once it has been discussed in the forthcoming session of the legislative assembly.

"The BJP had promised that it would ban cow slaughter if the party comes to power and hence, we will keep our promise," said Chuahan, as quoted.

This comes a week after Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa reiterated the government's stand on the issue as he launched ‘Pashu Sanjeevini’, a special ambulance service for cattle in the state. A special helpline for cattle farmers in distress was also launched.

“We are determined to protect cows and its progeny,’’ said the chief minister, adding that the state government was committed to implementing anti-cow slaughter law strictly and would bring suitable legislation soon, as reported.

Cattle owners in the state can dial 1962 in case of emergencies and call for the cattle ambulance which comes armed with qualified veterinary personnel and equipment. Treatment will be provided to the animals in the ambulances itself, and if further treatment is required, these vehicles will also ferry the cattle to a veterinary hospital.

The ambulance was launched as part of the central government's Rashtriya Gokul Mission for conserving and developing indigenous breeds and is currently operational with 15 vehicles in 15 districts across the state.

Yediyurappa had during his earlier stint as chief minister seen through the Karnataka Prevention of Cow Slaughter and Protection Bill 2010 and an amendment to it - the Karnataka Prevention of Cow Slaughter and Preservation Bill 2010. This bill prohibited the slaughter of cows, calf of a cow and bull, bullock, buffalo male or female and calf of a she-buffalo.

Only if the animal was over 15 years of age, permission had to be obtained from authorities and only then it legal to slaughter it. The state had then sent it for assent to the President but didn't receive the same.

When the Congress government came to power in the state in 2013, the state legislature withdrew the bill restoring the original Karnataka Prevention Of Cow Slaughter And Cattle Preservation Act, 1964.

Siddaramaiah, the former chief minister of the state who had vociferously opposed the bill while in opposition restored it to its 1964 version excluding buffaloes and buffalo bulls from its definition.