K’taka passes anti-Cow slaughter Bill in Upper House amid uproar

Bengaluru, Feb 9 : Amid protests by the Congress and JD(S) legislators, the ruling BJP in the Karnataka legislative council on Monday passed the contentious anti-cow slaughter Bill, just a day before the council chairman elections where senior MLC Basavaraj Horatti is contesting as the BJP-JD(S) coalition candidate.
The anti-Cow slaughter Bill is officially termed as the Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation and Protection of Cattle Bill 2020, and the passage of the Bill will help the ruling party replace the ordinance that was passed on January 8.
The Bill, already passed by the Assembly during the winter session in December last year, was put to vote by Deputy Chairman of the council, M.K. Pranesh.
With this, slaughtering of nearly all cattle – bull, ox, bullock, buffalo and cow – is now illegal in Karnataka.
For the Bill to become a law, its passage in both Houses followed by assent of the Governor is necessary. As the same Bill was approved in the form of ordinance by the Governor last month, it is likely to get the Governor’s nod shortly.
Karnataka Animal Husbandry Minister Prabhu Chauhan tabled the Bill for consideration of the Upper House on Monday. During the discussion, several Congress and JD(S) MLCs termed it as anti-farmer, and some of them even tore the Bill besides claiming that it is aimed at targeting certain sections of people. They also demanded that the Bill should be withdrawn or be referred to the joint select committee for vetting.