Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Rules related to animal slaughter invites many comments' that was published in Newsband

Rules related to animal slaughter invites many comments

There is a need to improve the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 (PCA). There should be regulation of the sale of all kinds of livestock bought and sold in animal markets. There should be prohibitions on the cruelty inflicted in the transport and treatment of animals, especially cattle like cows, buffaloes, bulls and camels, which come under a slew of special restrictions

Rules relating to animal cruelty needs to be improved considerably. The Act prohibits only the “infliction of unnecessary pain and suffering” when animals are consumed as food.

Recently the purchase or sale of cattle for slaughter in animal markets has been prohibited. This has invited many types of comments from various sources in the country.

First comment: India is a country with varied practices. Cattle rearing is an important source of revenue of farmers. Already farmers are in great stress with drought, loans, poor labor etc, this will affect the livelihood of farmers, economically.

Second comment: A balance must be maintained. If we are talking about environmental concerns, prohibition in cattle slaughtering may increase the number of cattle leading to increase in the demand of food for those cattle i.e plants. Not that one should slaughter cattle in large scale. Instead there should be a law which must maintain a balance.

Third comment: It is people and not the government who decide what is to be eaten by them. This is the right of the people, and no one can dictate what is to be eaten and what not to be eaten. It is not a country ruled by kings whom the subject or people just obey. It is democracy.

Fourth comment: The ban is a step towards destruction of economy. Many people who depend on cattle trade may be adversely affected by the present policy. As far as new law is concerned, there is no solid ground on what made government to come out with new law. These provisions gives more hands to cow vigilants to span their network and to take law into their hands. There have been many provisions/rules under Indian constitution but most of the rules are not followed and bothered about. Hence, Government instead of bringing up new rules and provisions like this should instead focus on economy and welfare. There cannot be opposite mind sets in the government where one is trying to reach Mars and the other is going back to olden days to impose unnecessary restrictions.

Fifth comment: This situation reminds one of famous drama by Shakespeare. The Merchant Shylock wanted A Pound of Flesh from Antonia and Portia points out the problem of getting the Flesh alone without a drop of blood. Here the meat eating is allowed without slaughtering the Cows.

Sixth comment: The decision to ban slaughter of animals is totally confusing and it affects the livelihood of more than 20% of people who live below the poverty line. Government has to clarify which type of animals are not fit for agriculture and which one is? If government is concerned about illegal slaughter house which operate widely in various states then it should have to form new rules and regulation which controls and prevents with strict punishment. The recent cattle trade rule spreads confusion and chaos among people whose livestock depends on this.

Seventh comment: Pork consumption is banned in most of the Middle Eastern Muslim countries, including Pakistan. The morning starts in the UK and USA with bacon and eggs. They kill millions of pigs in the UK. People cannot consume pork as per law in all Muslim countries. Saudis completely banned pork consumption, pig breeding. So, what is wrong if in India - a Hindu country – there is ban on cow slaughter.