Karnataka BJP Holds Puja For Cows, Passes Anti-Slaughter Bill In Assembly

[MenInG]

Bengaluru: The BJP government in Karnataka passed the Prevention of Cow Slaughter and Cattle Preservation (Amendment) Bill in the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday.
The bill, which defines "beef" as "flesh of cattle (cow, calf, bull, bullock and male or female buffalo bellow 13 years)", provides between three and seven years jail and (or) a fine up to ₹ 5 lakh. Subsequent offences can invite fines up to ₹ 10 lakh, and a jail term of up to seven years.

Earlier, after the bill was tabled, cows were brought into the Vidhana Soudha, or Secretariat, and Animal Husbandry Minister Prabhu Chavan performed a puja for them.

Mr Chavan told NDTV: "This is the blessings of the six crore people of Karnataka (and) of senior leaders. I thank the Chief Minister and the leaders for giving me this opportunity. This is the first time that the cow puja has been done here."

Karnataka BJP tweeted, calling the bill "much-awaited" and said: "Our government, under Chief Minister ** Yediyurappa, is on its way to honour yet another of its promise."

Earlier as he was entering the Secretariat Mr Chavan said: "This is good news for the six crore people of Karnataka. Gaumata is my mother. It (the bill) is animal protection. That is why I will bring this to Karnataka."

The opposition Congress was not impressed and criticised government for bypassing what it said were agreements on the schedule of the House.

"It was decided at the Business Affairs Committee meeting that the bills which have been notified as ordinances would be taken on priority. Today, to our surprise, the minister who is in charge of animal husbandry said, "I am introducing the Prevention of Slaughter and Protection of Animals Bill. This was not discussed at all," Siddaramaiah, the former Chief Minister, said.

They have to circulate copies of the Bill to all members. Even with the Minister there was no copy of the Bill. This is a breach of privilege. That is why we are opposing it. The sanctity of the House has gone," Mr Siddaramiah added.

"The government is showing disrespect to the office of Speaker. Why should we go to the BAC? The intention is very clear - they want to polarise votes because of panchayat elections," he said.

https://www.ndtv.com/karnataka-news...-in-assembly-2336448?pfrom=home-ndtv_bigstory

 

[Rafa]

Is Karnataka like the Uttar Pradesh of South India ? Seems to be at forefront of all the bad news coming from India.

 

[JaDed]

Is Karnataka like the Uttar Pradesh of South India ? Seems to be at forefront of all the bad news coming from India.

Naw its just that BJP is ruling the state so lol, even last time they came around I was in college in Bangalore and lol there were incidents of Hindutva hoons(Ram S) goons beating ppl(girls) in Pubs in Mangalore(not Bangalore), threats for valentines day.. didn’t workout though coz B’lore was very Liberal not sure how it is now.

 

[Dingolfy]

Is Karnataka like the Uttar Pradesh of South India ? Seems to be at forefront of all the bad news coming from India.

It isn’t bad as UP but has lot of Andbhakths. When I lived in Mangalore( one of their coastal cities), I was routinely asked by landlords whether I was a Muslim( due to my beard) and was told they wouldn’t rent their apartment/homes to Muslims.

 

[The Viper]

"This Is Not Democracy": Karnataka's Cow Slaughter Bill Provokes Fury

Bengaluru: Karnataka's controversial new cow protection act - which replaces legislation from 1964 that also prohibited the slaughter of cows - has been red-flagged for both tougher punishments and provisions that many are calling "undemocratic".

The new act defines "cattle" as including cows, calves, bulls, bullocks, and male and female buffalos below 13 years. "Beef" is defined as the flesh of cattle in any form.

Punishment for a first-time conviction ranges from a prison term of three to seven years and fines between ₹ 50,000 and ₹ 5 lakh.

Subsequent convictions could invite fines of up to ₹ 10 lakh and a jail term of up to seven years. The sale and transport of cattle for slaughter (within the state and across its border) is also prohibited.

Many have expressed concern over the new act.

"Muslims do not drink alcohol. But they have never requested any government to ban alcohol because it is against our religion. We have never requested Christians not to eat pork," a Bengaluru restaurant owner told NDTV

"Those animals that have stopped giving milk. Farmers who have buffaloes they cannot sell in the market - what will happen to them?" the restaurant owner asked.

The ruling BJP has never hidden its plan made to introduce legislation on this issue.

KS Eshwarappa, the state's Rural Development minister, told NDTV: "The BJP government was there earlier and banned cow slaughter. But the Congress cancelled that and made cow slaughter possible. Now our life has become blessed. The dream of those who love cows has been realised."

The Congress, which says the new bill also hurts the interests of farmers, has accused the BJP of trying to polarise communities by targeting beef and its consumers ahead of local elections to be held later this month.

"The entire bill is against farmers. They are trying to polarise (people). The farming community which has been breeding cattle has been affected. They did not discuss... they brought it urgently because of gram panchayat (local body) elections... trying to saffronise things," DK Shivakumar, the chief of the Congress's state unit, said.

The opposition party also boycotted Thursday's Assembly session - despite an appeal from Chief Minister ** Yediyurappa - to protest what former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said was the "murder of democracy".

"Last time itself, cow slaughter bill was passed. There were some amendments which were presented in Assembly and approved. Congress people always oppose. I don't want to react to such things. I request them to come and attend Assembly," Chief Minister ** Yediyurappa said.

The Janata Dal Secular also opposed the bill, with former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy pointing out provisions that force farmers to feed and nurture certain breeds - that he said were "absolutely of no use" - would cost a minimum of ₹ 200 per day and increase farmers' burdens.

Among other criticisms mounted by Mr Kumaraswamy was a "fear that provision to allow police and other officials to inspect premises may lead to harassment and fear psychosis"

The former Chief Minister also criticised the government for passing the bill in "a tearing hurry" and said that although the bill appears to protect cattle, "in the long run it is bound to affect cattle".

Mr Kumaraswamy warned the BJP that "if you try to make the sector unviable through such impractical clauses, then the trend of farmer suicides is bound to increase".

It doesn't stop with this bill.

The ruling BJP is also planning legislation targeting "love jihad" - the right-wing conspiracy theory that Muslim men enter into relationships with Hindu women to forcibly convert them - for a future Assembly session

https://www.ndtv.com/karnataka-news...ovokes-fury-2336913?pfrom=home-ndtv_topscroll

 

[Rafa]

It isn’t bad as UP but has lot of Andbhakths. When I lived in Mangalore( one of their coastal cities), I was routinely asked by landlords whether I was a Muslim( due to my beard) and was told they wouldn’t rent their apartment/homes to Muslims.

Interesting. Always thought this refusing to rent Muslims only happens in Mumbai.

 

[MenInG]

So Muslims cannot slaughter cows in this state - is it likely to become a countrywide thing?

 

[cricketjoshila]

So Muslims cannot slaughter cows in this state - is it likely to become a countrywide thing?

Most states already has a ban on cow slaughter, starting in 1956.

 

[cricketjoshila]

It isn’t bad as UP but has lot of Andbhakths. When I lived in Mangalore( one of their coastal cities), I was routinely asked by landlords whether I was a Muslim( due to my beard) and was told they wouldn’t rent their apartment/homes to Muslims.

Most hindus wont rent out houses to muslims. Its due to religious reasons, mostly beef eating.

 

[Varun]

Is Karnataka like the Uttar Pradesh of South India ? Seems to be at forefront of all the bad news coming from India.

What did you expect, the BJP have got hold of the state.

Unlike its southern neighbours, Karnataka had always lacked a strong regional leader - the Chandrababu Naidu, Jayalalitha types.