BJP and it’s inclination towards banning cow slaughter is clearly visible as some of the BJP ruled states Yogi Adityanath’s Uttar Pradesh and Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s Madhya Pradesh.

Karnataka is the newest BJP ruled state to implement anti-cattle law in the state but there’s something that makes the anti-cattle slaughter exceptional.

Karnataka’s stringent anti-cattle (Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Prevention of Cattle Bill 2020) slaughter bill has an implicit and unique definition of cattle and the provisions of the bill stands unique. Whereas other states define cattle as cows, bullocks, calves and bulls, Karnataka's bill brings he and she buffaloes into the category of cattle. This is happening for the very first time and is a variant from any other state as the latter defines cattle excluding buffaloes.

The state government today announced that it will be coming up with ordinances to soon implement the provisions of the bill that was passed by the Karnataka assembly but rejected by Legislative council.

The new Karnataka anti-cattle bill has already seen conflicts between political parties. But before going to that, let’s discuss what exactly the bill is?

The anti-cattle bill

The bill is not completely new but an improvised form of the Act passed by Y.S Yediyurappa government which states a ban on all forms of cattle. When the Congress came to power in 2013, the 2010 Bill was tattered still with ban on cow slaughter just with some restrictions. Karnataka since 2013 had the Karnataka Prevention of Cow Slaughter and Preservation of Animals Act, 1964, that allowed cow slaughter with certain restrictions.

The 1964 Act allowed the slaughter of male and female buffalo as the species does not categorize as cattle, cattle and buffalo together is pronounced as bovines. This makes Karnataka's anti-cattle bill also an anti-bovine bill.

The new act defines "cattle" as including cows, calves, bulls, bullocks, and male and female buffalos below 13 years.

After the news, several restaurant owners as well as political leaders were seen expressing their dissent around the bill. ‘

A Bengaluru restaurant owner said ‘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.”

Karnataka’s former CM H.D Kumaraswamy also criticized the bill saying the provision of allowing police to inspect irregularly can lead to harassment and torturing the cattle traders.

Some opposition members were also found saying that the state government took the decision in a hurry just like the Central did in case of farm bills and we are still seeing the consequences.

Kumaraswamy also claimed that though the bill, for now, appears to benefit cattle, this will not continue for long term and it will end up affecting them.

The bill defines 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.

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