Daijworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Mar 23: Former union minister and Congress leader, B Janardan Poojary, has termed the newly passed Anti Cow Slaughter Bill as draconian, and warned that the provisions contained therein will rob the people of  their mental peace. ‘One day, this law can even catch up with you,” he warned Yeddyurappa, addressing a press conference in the city on Monday March 22.

Poojary pointed out that the Supreme Court had not allowed Madhya Pradesh government to enforce a blanket ban on cow slaughter, even after the state tried to implement the law four times. “In several previous judgments, the Supreme Court has clearly held that cattle can be slaughtered. The state government does not seem to have studied these things properly. No one will benefit by looking after the cattle that are old and useless. Caring for the animals that are past their prime, is a very costly affair, and the Supreme Court had pinpointed to the ill affects the total ban, saying that it will have adverse affect on the economic condition of the concerned, and hence had held that cow slaughter can not be banned completely,” Poojary explained.

He claimed that some Hindus in North India consume beef. “Beef is equally required for the body builders and sportspersons. Farmers get six to seven thousand rupees by selling their old bullocks. Now, Yeddyurappa has banned their sale. Will Yeddyurappa pay for feeding and looking after these cattle?” Poojary questioned.  He also pointed to a provision in the said law, which holds that the people in whose homes beef is found are punishable, feeling that this can be a potent weapon for settling scores. “If someone deliberately keeps beef in the house of Yeddyurappa, the Chief Minister can be booked,” he said.

Poojary said that beef is an important component in the daily food of the minorities and dalits, and asked the government not to ruffle the sentiments of these people. He strongly felt that the law is being brought with the specific objective of harassing these people. He also assumed that the BJP, knowing fully well that this law will not stand the test of the Supreme Court, has enacted this law, with the intention of telling the people later, that they had implemented this law, but the Supreme Court had nullified it.

Former MLA, Vijaykumar Shetty, K S M Masood, Congress leaders, Suresh Ballal, Kallige Taranath Shetty, M G Hegde, Arun Coelho, Badruddin, Vishwas Kumar Das etc., were present.