The Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh has passed an ordinance to prevent cow slaughter. Under the provisions of the ordinance, the guilty can be given a 10-year rigorous imprisonment with a fine up to Rs. 5 lakhs for cow slaughter. This decision taken by the Yogi government is commendable and Hindu Janajagruti Samiti welcomes it. Recently, a pregnant elephant in Kerala was fed a pineapple filled with explosives that fatally injured it. Within a couple of days of this incident, a cow in Himachal Pradesh was severely injured after it was fed explosives. Due to the absence of stringent laws against atrocities on animals and cow slaughter, there has been a rise in inhuman incidents like these. In addition to this, even gorakshaks i.e. those working towards preventing cow slaughter, are being killed in broad daylight. It also appears that the police and administration end up supporting the radical butchers, due to a botched-up investigation process. Taking all this into consideration, the ordinance passed by the Uttar Pradesh government is a ray of hope for the prevention of cow slaughter, and for the saints, devout Hindus, gorakshaks and the masses who adore cows. Such stringent laws for the protection of cows should not be restricted to Uttar Pradesh but be implemented across the country, Hindu Janajagruti Samiti has demanded.
The number of indigenous cows today has reduced to a mere 2-3 crores from a whopping 90 crores in 1947. The laws in 20 out of India’s 29 states have provisions for prevention of cow slaughter, however due to the toothless nature of these laws, it does not deter those involved in cow slaughter. In most cases, the guilty get bail instantly and continue their illegal activities. In many cases, raids by the police and gorakshaks on illegal slaughter-houses and vehicles result in seizure of large amounts of cow meat; however, the investigation loses momentum and nothing happens. If all this has to stop, it is important that a nationwide stringent law is passed. Also, with focus on a larger motive of cow protection, products made from Gomutra (Cow urine), cowdung, Panchgavya etc. should be promoted, along with encouraging Gau-Chikitsa as a means of remedy. This subject needs thorough research and special government programmes, including the establishment of an independent ‘Go-Mantralaya’ (Ministry of Cow), the Samiti has demanded.
UP Govt approves ordinance against cow slaughter, stringent punishments included
The Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government on Tuesday (9 June) approved to pass an ordinance aimed at protecting the cow and preventing crimes related to cow slaughter. The UP cabinet approved the Cow-Slaughter Prevention (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020.
According to the reports, the proposed amendment includes a penal provision of imprisonment ranging from one year to ten years for physical damage to the cow and fine from Rs one lakh to Rs three lakh in cases related to cow slaughter. The UP government will bring amendments to the Cow Slaughter Act, 1955.
Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Awanish Awasthi said the proposed law also has a provision that allows authorities to publicise pictures of the accused in their neighbourhoods or a prominent public place if they escape after committing the crime.
Illegal transportation will be penalised
Under section 5 of the Uttar Pradesh Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act, 1955, the driver, operator and the owner of the vehicle shall be charged for the illegal transportation of bovine animals. The proposed law will punish if there is a danger to their lives through physical damage or mutilation.
The accused will also have to bear the cost related to the maintenance of the seized cattle for a year or till the animals are released, whichever earlier. In addition to that, if the life of cow in danger is put at risk by not providing food and water with the intention of endangering their life, rigorous imprisonment will be awarded for at least one year, which may extend to seven years.
In case if someone is found guilty again under the new act, even after conviction, he shall be punished with double penalty provided for the offence committed for the second time.
