Karnataka Reacts To The Possibility Of Anti-Cow Slaughter Laws Being Repealed

Savitha Nayak, a resident of Udupi’s Kukkehalli, has sheltered desi cows since at least five years now. They have had cows in their home for generations now.

Killing cows is a ‘maha paapa’ – supreme sin. How can we kill our gods’ creation? They can’t express in the same language as we do, but they have a life too. They have a conscience too. They have feelings too. We have grown up drinking her milk. How can we be so cruel to them?”

As soon as the Congress came to power in Karnataka, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and other leaders belonging to the party have indicated that the laws passed by the previous Basavaraj Bommai-led BJP government are going to be scrapped.

This includes the Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Act, 2022 (anti-conversion law) and Karnataka Prevention of Cow Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Act, 2020.

Coastal Karnataka is a communally sensitive region, and is home to many religious centres, including temples and mutts.

The seers have issued a statement threatening a hunger strike, should the laws against cow slaughter be repealed.

How the mutts are reacting

Speaking to Swarajya, Admar Mutt's junior pontiff Shree Eeshapriya Teertha Swamiji says that there are only benefits from protecting cows.

Let them form a council of learned people to discuss this issue further. Let them enlist the importance of saving cows. If they do that, I am convinced that the government will also have a change of heart and ban illegal slaughter houses. If they try, they will be successful, I am confident”.

Vishwaprasanna Thirtha Swami from the Pejawar Mutt made a strong statement to the media when he said that the government is backtracking on its promise to reconsider repealing the laws.

When asked about the law being scrapped, K Venkatesh, Minister of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, said “what is wrong with slaughtering cows? If one can slaughter buffaloes and bulls, what is wrong with slaughtering cows?”

So, is it not wrong to slaughter buffaloes and bulls?

Of course it is, the people who take care of cattle say.

“It makes me very sad. They are completely ignoring sentiments of Hindus. The previous government tried to prevent slaughter of cows, but the laws are going to be repealed now. We consider cows our mother. How can we tolerate the thought of our mothers being killed?” he tells Swarajya.

PunyaKoti houses nearly 80-90 cattle, among which four to five cows produce milk. Regardless, it is one’s duty to protect cattle, Prasad adds. There are more benefits from a cow than just getting milk, he says.

Congress itself was divided on cow slaughter laws

“In 1955, a senior Congress Member of Parliament (MP) Govinda Das drafted a bill for a nationwide ban on cow slaughter, stating that a larger majority of the party was in favour of it being banned. But Prime Minster Jawaharlal Nehru opposed this ban and threatened to resign if the elected representatives passed the bill in Indian Parliament. Nehru declared that the states held the rights to decide laws on cow slaughter, and that the Centre cannot intervene into the matter.

It costs us money to take care of cattle

The reasons are entirely not political either. A few Congress leaders have advanced an argument stating that there are financial burdens on farmers (and the exchequer, since the leather industry has taken a hit) who require a lot of money for taking care of aging cattle.

“The Congress does not care about Karnataka’s fiscal health. Why else would they announce freebies so recklessly without assessing the extent of damage it can do to our economy? Only when it comes to the leather industry, they seem to be worried. They are selectively responsible, are they not?” he told Swarajya.

Furthermore, commenting on the economics of the whole issue, he asked whether the Congress were truly worried about fiscal health of Karnataka’s economy. He said that the Congress has exposed its own doublespeak since the freebies they have announced does not show that the party is even remotely bothered about the health of the economy.

Organised crime, lack of legal support: what the gau rakshaks go through

Hindu activist and former journalist Shrikanth Shetty has been involved in gauraksha for years now. He says that despite having the legislation against cow slaughter, there are practical difficulties in filing cases against cow smugglers in the region.

With their calls to ban Hindu organisations, repeal cow protection laws, it is clear what this government’s agenda is. In the past, smugglers sought help from ‘Team Garuda’ – a mob which protected smugglers against Hindu activists. They have immediate legal support if they get caught. It’s a well-oiled machinery. It has become a matter of Hindu community’s self-esteem”.

What this means for Udupi, city of Sri Krishna

There are patrons of all kinds, as far as supporting the cow shelters are concerned.

Ajay P Shetty, a local businessman, says that Udupi is Sri Krishna’s city. “We celebrate the birth of calves like we celebrate the birth of any new members in our family. The final rites are performed in the same way too. Cows are integral to us. Neither do we sell our family members or consider them to be a burden once they age.

Ever since the Congress announced their intention to scrap the laws, Hindu organisations have expressed their protest. The voices have only grown stronger, to an extent where the CM Siddaramaiah has issued a statement saying he will 'discuss relook' at total ban on cow slaughter.

As the Karnataka Assembly is in session, it is believed that these laws are an easy target for the new Congress dispensation.

However, due to the mounting pressure on the ruling party, people are hopeful that the laws will be allowed to exist in the current form that they are in.