Amid Beef Ban Row in Jammu and Kashmir, Opposition Push for Change in Law
A curfew last week after protests over a court ordering enforcement of beef ban
SRINAGAR: In a raging controversy over a beef ban in Jammu and Kashmir, the state's main opposition party has decided to move a bill to change the law.
The National Conference has said that it will introduce a bill in the state assembly for changes in a 1932 law which bans the slaughter of cattle and the sale and purchase of beef.
The law had rarely been followed in the state but last week, the high court ordered the police to strictly enforce the ban, which led to protests across the state.
"We are introducing a bill to decriminalise the sale and consumption of beef in Jammu and Kashmir," said a National Conference leader.
The National Conference, which lost power in last year's state polls, has also demanded that the state government bring an ordinance or executive order to allow the slaughter of cattle in the upcoming Bakr-id festival.
Independent lawmaker Engineer Rashid has already submitted a bill to reverse the beef ban.
After the court's order last Wednesday, there were protests and a strike call by separatists. A curfew was imposed as the government stepped in to check the spread of protests, and shops, business establishments and schools were closed across the valley.
The court acted on a petition by the lawyer who was appointed deputy advocate general by the government six months ago. Parmikosh Seth had filed the petition last year, but pursued it even after his appointment as government counsel.
Sources in the state government say they are in fix over how to deal with the situation as the ruling coalition partners Peoples Democratic Party and the BJP have opposing views on the issue.
The existing law says those who violate the ban can face up to 10 years in jail. Over the years, however, the sale and purchase of beef has become a regular trade in the state
The National Conference has said that it will introduce a bill in the state assembly for changes in a 1932 law which bans the slaughter of cattle and the sale and purchase of beef.
The law had rarely been followed in the state but last week, the high court ordered the police to strictly enforce the ban, which led to protests across the state.
"We are introducing a bill to decriminalise the sale and consumption of beef in Jammu and Kashmir," said a National Conference leader.
The National Conference, which lost power in last year's state polls, has also demanded that the state government bring an ordinance or executive order to allow the slaughter of cattle in the upcoming Bakr-id festival.
Independent lawmaker Engineer Rashid has already submitted a bill to reverse the beef ban.
After the court's order last Wednesday, there were protests and a strike call by separatists. A curfew was imposed as the government stepped in to check the spread of protests, and shops, business establishments and schools were closed across the valley.
The court acted on a petition by the lawyer who was appointed deputy advocate general by the government six months ago. Parmikosh Seth had filed the petition last year, but pursued it even after his appointment as government counsel.
Sources in the state government say they are in fix over how to deal with the situation as the ruling coalition partners Peoples Democratic Party and the BJP have opposing views on the issue.
The existing law says those who violate the ban can face up to 10 years in jail. Over the years, however, the sale and purchase of beef has become a regular trade in the state
0 Comments