Swamy withdraws cow slaughter bill after govt’s nudge

NEW DELHI: BJP parliamentarian Subramanian Swamy moved in the Rajya Sabha on Friday a private member’s bill for a countrywide ban on cow slaughter, but withdrew it after the government assured that steps have been taken to protect the animal.

During a two-hour discussion on the cow protection bill, the Upper House witnessed heated exchanges when Opposition members objected to railway minister Piyush Goyal’s remarks that an important issue was being “made fun of”.

Goyal stood up and spoke after after Samajwadi Party member Javed Ali Khan said the cow should be declared the national animal immediately, with provisions that government will be responsible for rearing and nourishing the animal. Also, he said India must end its diplomatic ties with meat-trading nations.

Intervening in the debate, agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh said the government has been working on schemes related to cow welfare over the past three-and-a-a-half years.

“We have been taking steps for the protection and promotion of the cow. I want to assure Swamy that we are working in the same direction. With these words I request you to withdraw the bill,” the minister said.

Swamy withdrew the bill and hoped that the government would put a voluntary cess to ensure cows are looked after they cease to give milk. He said gaushalas, or cow shelters, should be set up and scientifically run. An authority to ensure stabilisation of the population of Indian breed of cows should be set up.

“So the only thing remaining is

the law … I would like to give the government one more chance so that I don’t have to come back again with another bill. Therefore, permit me to withdraw the bill,” Swamy said.

During the debate, Congress member Rajeev Shukla asked Swamy “why doesn’t the BJP discuss the matter of cow slaughter with Goa CM Manohar Parrikar?”parrikar had recently backed beef traders and warned cow vigilante groups.