Himachal Pradesh High Court tells Centre to ban cow slaughter, sale of beef within six months

Shimla: The Himachal Pradesh High Court has issued orders calling on the Central government to ban cow slaughter in the country within six months.

Further, in the order passed on Friday, the High Court directed that prohibitions be imposed on import and export of the cow/calf and sale of beef and beef products be banned – all to be complied within a period of six months.

While passing the orders, the court rejecting Centre’s contention that the issue was a State matter and should be dealt by state governments.

Referring to an earlier order, a division Bench comprising Justice Rajiv Sharma and Justice Sureshwar Thakur said, “The directions issued by this court on October 14, 2015 to Union of India to enact law prohibiting slaughtering of cow/calf, import or export of cow/calf, selling of beef or beef products are reiterated. The necessary steps be taken within six months from today. A copy of this order be also sent to the National Law Commission for its kind perusal.”

In its 71-page judgment, the court noted the importance of cow in both economic and religious terms. It also took into account sentiments attached with protection of the cow, considered holy by the Hindus.

The High Court directive came in response to a plea filed by state-based Hindu organisation, Bhartiya Govansh Rakshan Sanverdhan Parishad.

“There is no proper arrangement for food, medicine and infrastructure for cows. The cows are found abandoned, also transported outside and brutally slaughtered. There is dire need to construct modern gaushallas/gausadans to protect abandoned cows. There should be compulsory registration of the cattle as well as gausadans/gaushallas and a complete ban on cow slaughter in India,” the petition had argued.