Kerala Assembly votes against centre's slaughter ban notification

KOCHI: The Kerala Assembly on Thursday passed a resolution against the notification of the central government banning the sale of cattle for slaughter. The resolution, presented by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, was opposed by the lone BJP MLA O Rajagopal.

Stating that there was a political agenda behind the notification, Pinarayi Vijayan said the Centre’s ultimate aim was to ban cow slaughter. The Kerala Chief Minister asked the assembly to cancel the notification as it interferes with the rights of people to eat the food they like. It was also an interference on the rights of states, he said.

Ban on cow slaughter will hurt the interests of farmers and will lead to a price rise. Former chief minister VS Achuthanandan said the notification was meant to help the interests of big businessmen. Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala said that like the demonetisation move, the notification to ban trade of cattle for slaughter will hurt people. It is part of a fascist agenda, he said.