Madras High Court stays Centre’s order on cattle slaughter, Both CPIM ruled Kerala and Trinamool ruled West Bengal have opposed the Ban
Staying the operation of the controversial notification passed by Modi sarkar on May 23, the Madurai bench of the High Court sought responses from the state government and Government of India on the issue. On May 23, the Centre passed a notification seeking to regulate the sale of bovines at cattle markets.
The Madras High Court on Tuesday granted a four-week stay on the Centre’s decision to ban the sale of cattle meant for slaughter. The Madurai bench of the high court sought responses from the state government and Government of India on the issue. In response to a PIL filed at the high court, a interim order was passed today by a division bench comprising Justice M V Muralidharan and Justice CV Karthikeyan. On May 23, the Centre passed a notification seeking to regulate the sale of bovines at cattle markets. The order prohibited the sale of animals meant for slaughter. Cows, bulls, buffaloes, calves and camels are among the list of animals that are banned for sale at the cattle markets. The Centre has also tightened the rules for those looking to sell or purchase the animals.
The Centre’s move evoked strong reactions from politicians across the country, particularly in Kerala, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu. Beef Fests have been organised around the country in protest against the Centre’s decision. In Kerala, Youth Congress Workers and organisations associated with the Left took out protest marches against the government. Beef was cooked and freely distributed to the public at many places. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan strongly opposed the ban and appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to withdraw it. He said the ban could adversely affect the lives of millions of people.
In a letter addressed to other chief ministers, Pinarayi Vijayan has written,
"I am sure that you are already conversant with the Notification containing the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Markets) Rules, 2017 issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on 23rd May, 2017. The Rules impose a number of restriction on cattle trade which would have serious repercussions on the livelihood of millions of people, especially those in the agricultural sector, in our country.
It appears strange that the Rules are promulgated under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 since they have nothing to do with the objects of the Act. Neither are the Rules covered by the express delegation of legislative powers contained in the Act. Hence it is nothing but a covert attempt to usurp the powers of State legislatures in the guise of rules under a Central Act. The subjects covered by the Rules belong to entries 15 and 18 of the State List in the Constitution. This impermissible encroachment into the domain of the State Legislatures is a clear violation of the spirit of federalism, which is acclaimed as one of the basic features of the constitution..
The Rules, by imposing unreasonable restriction on the fundamental right to carry on any trade or occupation under Article 19 (1) (g) of the Constitution, will not stand the test of constitutionality. They also violate the basic right of a person to freedom of choice regarding his food.
It is rather unfortunate that such a drastic measure, producing serious consequences, was introduced in exercise of the rule making power, surpassing the elected representatives of the people and avoiding any public debate. This is nothing but a negation of the democratic principle, which is indisputably accepted as forming part of the basic structure of the Constitution.
Apart from the Constitutional and legal infirmities of the Rules, the disastrous consequences which are likely to arise if these Rules are brought into force make one shudder. It will definitely produce a chaotic situation in the rural agricultural economy in all the States.
Unless we stand together and oppose this anti-federal, anti-democratic and anti-secular move, it may mark the beginning of a series of similar measures aimed at destroying the federal democratic fabric and secular culture of our country. I would therefore fervently appeal to you to convey your objection to the 2017 Rules under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act to the Prime Minister, and to request him to withdraw the Rules introduced without any consultation with the States. Since the matters dealt within the Rules squarely fall within the purview of State Legislatures, the State Governments may be allowed to formulate necessary policies and laws to suit the socio-cultural and economic milieu of the State.
I have already brought these matters to the kind attention of the Prime Minister in a letter dated May 27th, 2017 "
In Tamil Nadu, students organised a Beef Fest at IIT-Madras. Acting DMK president M K Stalin will be leading a public protest on Wednesday in Chennai, demanding the Centre to revoke the notification.West Bengal also saw similar protests against the Centre, with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee training her guns against the Centre.
