Bangalore, Feb 14 (DHNS): Launching a mass agitation against the proposed Bill on cow slaughter, Movement for Preservation of Indian Food Culture, an umbrella group of 46 organisations, has started a signature campaign and aims to reach one crore people so that the Bill is not presented.
The campaign would go on till February 20 after which a memorandum would be submitted to the Governor asking him to reject the bill, informed Syed Mohammad Iqbal, Joint Convener of the Movement.
Iqbal, who is also the Joint Convener of the Karnataka Muslim Muttahida Mahaz (KMMM), a federation of 28 Muslim organisations, alleged that the Government was “dancing” to the tunes of the Sangh Parivar.
The Movement has the support of Dr Ambedkar Philosophical Foundation, Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha, Samatha Sainik Dal, apart from the KMMM. Civic Front comprising the left front, the AIADMK, the Indian National League, the Dalit Sangharsh Samiti (DSS) also announced its support for the movement.
“The proposed amendment in the Karnataka Prevention of Cow Slaughter and Cattle Preservation Act, 1964 is absolutely draconian. The Government is targeting a particular community under the guise of cow preservation whereas beef is an essential part of the Indian food culture,” Mavalli Shankar, President, Dalit Sangharsha Samiti (DSS) and Joint Convener of the Movement, told Deccan Herald.
Maintaining that the existing laws were sufficient to curb cow slaughter, he said that a public debate was needed before the Bill was passed, otherwise it would be “an attack on the food habit of the poor and the downtrodden”.
“Muslims alone don’t eat beef, Dalits, Christians and tribals also consume it. Why is the Government ignoring the dietary habits of two-third of the population,” he asked.
Qasim Aijaz Qureishi, President, Karnataka Jamiat-ul-Quriesh,said, “as far as the ban on cow slaughter is concerned, it is already in place. Then why is the government bringing in an amendment to put a blanket ban on slaughter of bull, bullock, and buffalo?” he wondered.
Iqbal said that the amendment had proposed to make mere transportation of the cattle and beef consumption a non-bailable offence. “What if someone bought beef from outside the State? Will he also be arrested?” he asked.
Awareness meet
The Government should concentrate on more important issues like banning arrack, prohibition of child labour, he said. The Movement will organise a public awareness meeting on the proposed Bill on February 23. Iqbal alleged that certain organisations were manufacturing and exporting fertilisers using the carcass of animals “They are clandestinely making money in the guise of preserving the cattle,” he charged.
Sunil Dugar, Committee Member of the PDS, maintained that the Bill should be passed at any cost. “Only mercy killing should be allowed. There should be a total ban on slaughter and consumption of the cattle,” he said.