Gujarat okays life in jail for cow slaughter
BEEFING UP LAW BJP government brings in the country’s harshest cow protection law ahead of assembly elections
AHMEDABAD: Slaughter of cows and calves in Gujarat will now land one in jail for life with the BJP government on Friday passing an amendment bill to enact the harshest law in the country to “protect” cattle.
The bill comes within a month of BJP appointing hardliner Yogi Adityanath as CM of UP and months before Gujarat goes to crucial assembly polls to be held in the backdrop of Patidar agitation for reservation in government jobs and colleges.
Under the Gujarat Animal Preservation (Amendment) Bill 2017, which was passed with majority vote, the punishment for cow and progeny slaughter has been increased to life sentence from a jail term of 7 to 10 years. The fine amount has been increased to ₹5 lakh from ₹1 lakh for the offence which will now be non-bailable.
Those caught transporting cow, progeny and its meat will face imprisonment from 7 to 10 years.
Their vehicle will be confiscated permanently by the government. Earlier, vehicles were impounded for up to six months. Now, the transporter will also be slapped with a fine up to Rs 1 lakh. Besides, there will now be a complete ban on cow and progeny transportation between 7pm and 5am. Those with licence to transport can do so only during the daytime.
In 2011, when Narendra Modi was chief minister, the state government had imposed a complete ban on slaughtering and transportation of cow and progeny by amending the Gujarat Animal Preservation Act, 1954.
“During this auspicious occasion of Chhetri Navratri, the government, on suggestions of several sadhu-sants, has made amendments to the Gujarat Animal Protection (Amendment) Act, 2011. This is the harshest law in the country,” said Minister of State for Home Pradeepsinh Jadeja.
As the move comes months before the assembly election in the state, scheduled for November-December, opposition Congress Party termed it politically motivated.
“This is not out of concern for cows. The Bharatiya Janata Party has passed this bill to get votes. Through this bill, it has been proved that BJP is anti-Dalit,” said Congress MLA Shaktisinh Gohil.
He was referring to the flogging of Dalits by self-proclaimed cow vigilantes in Una last year.