The Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has condemned the notification by the BJP government at the centre prohibiting the sale of cattle for slaughter in markets.
In a Facebook post on Thursday, 26 May 2017, he said that the centre’s move is part of the effort to destroy the secular fabric of India. The actions of the central government is in violation of diversity, which is the essence of our democracy, he added.
People of all faiths have been consuming meat since time immemorial. By prohibiting slaughter, the Government has meddled with the people’s right to consume whatever food they prefer to. Meat is the main source of protein for the poor in India, and hence the centre’s order is an attack on the poor. If cattle consumption is prohibited today, it may very well be fish tomorrow, Pinarayi Vijayan said.
Prohibition of cattle slaughter will result in job losses for hundreds of thousands. Raw material for leather industry will not be available anymore, which will affect 2.5 million people working in India’s leather industry, most of whom are Dalits. Hence this prohibition will severely affect our disadvantaged sections.
The central government has proven that the Sangh Parivar is holding its reins. Cattle slaughter is becoming illegal at a time when manslaughter happens in the name of cow, he added in a Tweet.
The full statement by the Kerala Chief Minister can be read here:
https://www.facebook.com/CMOKerala/posts/1430240400352348
Subsequently on Friday, Pinarayi Vijayan shot off a letter to the Prime Minister, demanding the repeal of the newly imposed restrictions. He pointed out that non-vegetarians outnumber vegetarians in a number of states. The new rules amount to an intrusion into the rights of the states. The move violates the principles of secularism and federalism enshrined in the Constitution of India.
The full text of the letter can be read here:
https://www.facebook.com/CMOKerala/posts/1430936453616076
