‘Cow Cabinet’ to be Constituted in Madhya Pradesh to Conserve Cows
The Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, announced that the State Government is going to constitute ‘Cow Cabinet’ on November 18, 2020.
The Cow Cabinet
The cow cabinet would be constituted to conserve and promote cow cattle in the state of Madhya Pradesh (M.P.). First meeting of the cabinet will be held on November 22, 2020 at Gau Sanctuary Salaria Agar Malwa.
Need of the Cow Cabinet
Cows are worshipped in India by various religions including the Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism and Buddhism. These religions believes cow slaughtering is a sin. Further, the cow is an acceptable source of meat by Christianity, Zoroastrianism and Islam in India. So, in order to avoid the illegal trading and slaughter of cows this cabinet will be constituted.
Other law for Cow protection in M.P.
- Anti-Cow Slaughter Act, 2004
This act prohibits the transportation of cows and other cattle in the states. Under this act, Special permission is required even to transport cattle through the state. In 2019, the State Government of Madhya Pradesh amended the act. In the amended act, jail term of six months and a fine of Rs 25,000 to Rs 50,000 is imposed on those who commit violence in the name of cow.
Judiciary on Cow Slaughter
- The Supreme Court of India had upheld the constitutional validity of anti-cow slaughter laws in 2005. This act was enacted in different states of India. Around 20 states in India have laws to regulate cow slaughter presently.
- The Bombay High Court gave a judgement in the year 2016, that consumption of beef is legal as per the fundamental Right to life provided by Article 21 of Constitution of India.