Karnataka government gives assent to cow slaughter ban ordinance

Bengaluru: Karnataka on Tuesday promulgated the anti-cow slaughter ordinance that provides for punishment for killing of cattle and offers protection to those "acting in good faith", as the bill to this effect is yet to be cleared by the Legislative Council. The Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Ordinance- 2020 received Governor Vajubhai R Vala's assent on Tuesday. Under the ordinance, slaughter of cattle will lead to imprisonment of up to 3 to 7 years and a fine ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 5 lakh, and subsequent offences will attract imprisonment of up to seven years and a fine from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 10 lakh. It also offers protection for "persons acting in good faith" as no suit, prosecution or other legal proceedings can be instituted against the competent authority or "any person exercising powers under this Act."

The ordinance stated that buffalo above the age of 13 years can be slaughtered with certification from a competent authority.

As the bill did not clear the hurdle in the Legislative Council the government was forced to take the ordinance route. The ordinance received the assent of the Governor nearly a month after the Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Bill was passed in the Assembly. The ordinance also defines cattle as a cow, calf of a cow, bull and bullock of all ages and he or she buffalo below the age of 13 years. 'Beef' is defined as the flesh of the cattle in any form. The only slaughter allowed is for terminally ill cattle or cattle suffering from contagious diseases or operated upon for experimental or research purposes. But, the government has pointed out that beef consumption will not be prohibited because the present bill only prohibits the slaughter of buffaloes up till the age of 13.