Kerala, West Bengal Announce War On Cattle Slaughter Ban. Tamil Nadu, Karnataka Join Protests

The Kerala High Court has sent a notice to the central government seeking an explanation over its move to ban the sale of cattle for the purpose of slaughter. The court hearing a petition which claimed that the order infringes on the rights of the states has given the central government time until Wednesday, to respond.

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Earlier, Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan had said that the state will challenge the order legally as livestock is a state subject. He had also written to chief minister of other states urging them to stand united against the center's effort to grab the constitutional powers of the states.

"Unless we stand together and oppose this anti-federal, anti-democratic and anti-secular move, it may mark the beginning of a series of similar measures aimed at destroying the federal democratic fabric and secular culture of our country."?

Stating that beef is a part of Kerala's culinary tradition, Mr. Vijayan said "What we eat cannot be decided by Delhi or Nagpur."

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West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to have expressed similar views. Calling the ban "undemocratic and unconstitutional",Ms. Banerjee said her governmetn will challenge it legally.

She cited four specific entries (15, 16, 26, 28) of List II under the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution to argue that the Centre's move infringes upon the state's rights.

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"Prevention, protection and improvement of stock and prevention of animal diseases come under the State List. So do markets and fairs and also trade and commerce. I don't know why the Centre is encroaching upon state matters time and again and taking decisions unilaterally," Banerjee said.

Other states like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka have also seen the protest from various political parties against the ban.

In Tamil Nadu, DMK leader MK Stalin is set to lead a protest in Chennai on Wednesday. He said the Centre has "snatched away" the fundamental right to choice of food given by the Constitution. Protests were held in several parts of Tamil Nadu, including Madurai, Coimbatore, Erode and Hosur.?

Students in IIT Madras held a 'beef fest' against the centre's order.?

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In Puducherry, chief minister V Narayanasamy said his government will not implement the ban.

In Congress ruled Karnataka, a "beef fest" organised by a students' unions was called off in Bengaluru after the police denied permission to organize the event.

The Left-affiliated Students' Federation of India (SFI) had sought police permission for a protest.

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The police, however, did not give permission, though there is no ban on cow slaughter in the Congress-ruled state.

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The order by the Union Environment Ministry last week banned the sale of cattle including cow, bull, buffalo and camel for the purpose of slaughter.

However, there are reports that after the massive protests, the government may revise the order to exempt buffalo from the list.