New Delhi, Aug 21: Government today deferred introduction of the bill to prevent cow slaughter and will convene an all-party meeting to arrive at a consensus, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj told the Lok Sabha. Amid protests from opposition benches, Swaraj said the government has decided to defer the introduction of the Prevention of Cruelty to Cows Bill, 2003, and an all-party meeting will be convened soon.
The decision came following uproarious scenes in the House as soon as Speaker Manohar Joshi asked Agriculture Minister Rajnath Singh to move the bill.
As several Opposition members vehemently protested against the government move, the speaker adjourned the House for ten minutes.
Trouble again erupted after the House re-assembled with Left parties and Muslim league vociferously opposing the legislation, even as the speaker ruled that the House was not taking up the bill.
Anil Basu (CPI-M) and some other members were seen tearing papers, which they claimed were copies of the bill.
The bill was also strongly opposed by senior JD (U) member Devendra Prasad Yadav, who did not even favour its introduction.
In the midst of the din, CPI-M leader Somnath Chatterjee was heard telling Swaraj, "We want to expose this government. You do not talk about consensus in this case."
As soon as Swaraj made the announcement of deferring the introduction of the bill, order was restored in the House.
Bureau Report