Congress leadership has warned Karnataka's Animal Husbandry Minister K Venkatesh to refrain from implying that the Congress government would change the former BJP government's strict cow slaughter regulation.

This comes after K Venkatesh's comments hinting at revision of the cow slaughter ban introduced by the erstwhile BJP government in Karnataka, which had sparked massive backlash from the BJP.

Randeep Surjewala, the AICC (All India Congress Committee) general secretary responsible for Karnataka, has instructed the minister to prioritize the welfare of dairy farmers and ensure they receive fair prices for their milk. Surjewala emphasized that the minister should concentrate on matters related to his ministry and avoid interfering in policies outside of his area of responsibility, while addressing a media briefing on Thursday (8 June).

However, while the Congress reprimanded Venkatesh, the state's Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has announced that the issue would be discussed in the cabinet meeting. It remains unclear whether Siddaramaiah was asked by high command not to raise the issue.

While Siddaramaiah had stated that the Cabinet had yet to discuss the issue, the State's Animal Husbandry Minister K Venkatesh had said that the state government would examine the issue and make a decision. He explained that the previous BJP government had enacted a Bill that allowed the slaughter of buffaloes and male buffaloes but prohibited cow slaughter, which would be re-evaluated.

“When buffaloes and male buffaloes can be slaughtered, why not cows? This question will naturally arise…we will discuss and make a decision. No discussion has happened in this regard yet,” he had said.