Tamil Nadu moves SC against High Court order on blanket ban of cows slaughter
New Delhi, July 1
The Tamil Nadu government has approached the Supreme Court challenging the May 27 Madras High Court's order, which imposed a blanket ban on the slaughter of cows and calves in the state.
The State government has argued that the High Court had gone beyond the framework of the law by directing a blanket prohibition on cow slaughter.
"In a writ petition seeking a direction to 'prevent the slaughter of cows in public places', the High Court ought to have travelled beyond the issue involved, to impose an absolute and blanket ban on the slaughter of cows and calves' on the eve of Bakrid or any other day'," the appeal of the government stated.
On May 27, the High Court, while hearing a Public Interest Litigation filed by K Surya Prasanth, the General Secretary of Hindu Makkal Katchi, which sought direction to prevent the slaughtering of cows in public places, directed the State "to ensure that no cow or calf is slaughtered on the eve of Bakrid or on any other day".
The government submitted before the apex court that the High Court imposed a blanket ban on cow slaughter even in the designated slaughter houses, which is unsustainable in law for the reasons that it runs contrary to the statutory framework governing the practice of animal slaughter in the State of Tamil Nadu.
The petition submitted that the Tamil Nadu Animal Preservation Act, 1958, the Tamil Nadu Urban Local Bodies Act, 1998, the Tamil Nadu Urban Local Bodies Rules, 2023, and the relevant food safety regulations contemplate regulation of animal slaughter and not an absolute ban.
The government sought an interim stay on the operation of the High Court's directions.
— ANI
Reader Comments
So glad the state is challenging this! 🙏 As someone who eats beef occasionally, I don't want the government deciding my plate. The existing TN Animal Preservation Act already regulates slaughter properly - why create confusion? High Court should focus on actual PILs, not go on moral crusades. #JudicialOverreach
Here we go again... Every year before Bakrid, same drama. Courts should not mix personal beliefs with law. Cow slaughter is legal in TN as per state law. Why should a HC judge impose his personal views on millions? Let the legislature decide. Fed up of this culture of judicial activism.
As a Hindu, I don't support cow slaughter personally, but I respect the law. TN Act already bans slaughter of milch cows and calves - that's sensible. Complete ban is impractical and will push slaughter underground, leading to more cruelty. HC should have focused on regulating slaughterhouses better instead.
Interesting case showing India's federal structure in action. State pushing back against what they see as judicial overreach into legislative domain. The existing regulatory framework in TN seems workable - why impose a blanket ban that ignores ground realities? Hope SC gives a balanced verdict.
Finally, a state government with some common sense! 🐄 The High Court's order was clearly driven by a particular ideology. Animal slaughter is already regulated - what we need is better enforcement of existing laws, not new bans every time someone feels offended. Kudos to TN government for standing up for federal principles!
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.