Tamil Nadu government has filed ‘Special Leave Petition’ in the Supreme Court. This petition has been filed against the May 27 order of the Madras High Court in which it was directed to implement the 1976 government order to ban the slaughter of cows and calves across the state. In its decision, the court had said that Article 48 of the Constitution expects the state to take strict steps to stop the killing of cows and calves.
Besides, the Madras High Court, in its decision on May 27, had also directed the Tamil Nadu government to ensure that no cow or calf is killed on Bakrid or any other day in the state. Now this petition has been filed in the Supreme Court on behalf of the Secretary of the State Government.
Hindu Makkal Katchi had filed the petition
In this petition, Secretary of the Youth Wing of ‘Hindu Makkal Katchi’ K. Surya alias K. Surya Prashant has been made the defendant, who had filed the original writ petition in the High Court. Besides, the Director General of Police (DGP) and other officials have also been made defendants. Advocate P.V. appearing for Surya. Yogeshwaran has filed a ‘caveat’ (application informing the court in advance) in the Supreme Court.
Madras High Court Justice G. R. The Divisional Bench of Justice Swaminathan and Justice V. Lakshminarayanan had given this order on May 27. In this, the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police (DGP) were directed to ensure that no cow or calf is killed in Tamil Nadu on the eve of Bakrid (i.e. Thursday, May 28) or on any other day.
Killing of cows is mentioned in Article 48 of the Constitution.
The court also ordered that animals cannot be allowed to be slaughtered at any place of their choice. They should be slaughtered only in slaughterhouses or at places specifically designated by the competent authorities. This order of the court was based on the 1976 order in which cow slaughter was banned in the interest of improving milk production and rural economy.
Justice Swaminathan had emphasized that Article 48 of the Constitution requires the State to take steps to prohibit the killing of cows, calves and other milch and draft cattle. Even during the debate in the Constituent Assembly, it was underlined that cow is a revered animal and has been associated with our civilization since the time of Lord Krishna.
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