Anti-slaughter bills impacts herds negatively: Report
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New Delhi: As one after another BJP-ruled states are passing anti-slaughter bills to prevent butchering of the animals, a data has emerged that suggests the bills are effecting the livestock negatively.
According to Livestock Census, most of the states wherein anti-slaughter laws were implemented, total cattle population has decreased. Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Karnataka states together saw a decrease of 28.01 lakh in cattle population between 2012 and 2019, according to Livestock Census.
According to the data, West Bengal topped the list of states with most number of cattle in 2019. It is notable that, the state permits slaughter of all animals.
The data suggests that though the proclaimed goal behind enacting anti-slaughter bills is preservation of cattle, the law is bringing reverse effect.
The reason behind the phenomenon is obviously because the farmers' hesitation to rear animals that can cost them by feeding unproductive animals.
Of all the anti-slaughter bills passed across the country, Karnataka has the most stringent one. The law stipulates jail for not less than three and extendable to seven years for those who slaughters or offers for slaughter animals, including buffaloes. Karnataka is the first state to make buffalo slaughter illegal.
The law passed by the BS Yediyurappa government has not gone well with the opposition and farmers.
Former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has said that the law is unscientific and also anti-farmers.
"The act has the malicious purpose of provoking religious sentiment and gaining political benefit, but does not cherish or care about cow," he said.
The Anti-Cow slaughter bill is not just harsh and unscientific but also against the interests of farmers.
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) December 11, 2020
The only intension of @BJP4Karnataka is to create communal tensions & gain political mileage.
1/11#CowSlaughterBill
He also questioned why BJP is not implementing an pan-India anti-slaughtering ban covering Goa, Kerala and north-eastern states, if the party is so concerned about the cow.
"Before taking the decision to ban cow slaughter, government should consider to purchase all unproductive cattle or government should reimburse farmers to look after the cattle," he tweeted.
