Anti-cattle slaughter bill becomes political fodder in Karna
The BJP government in Karnataka on Tuesday defended the party's move to launch a state-wide agitation to put pressure on President Pratibha Patil to give assent to the anti-cattle slaughter bill, virtually rejecting the contention of Governor H R Bhardwaj, who has regretted the political campaign.
Bhardwaj, who has expressed his reservations over the bill, saying it would have a bearing on the food habits of people, had yesterday regretted the BJP's political campaign on it.
Speaking to reporters here today, Home Minister V S Acharya defended the bill, noting that it had been passed by both Houses of the State Legislature.
"Such legislation is in place in seven other states," he pointed out, adding, legislations similar in one way or the other is also in force in many states. "How appropriate is it to create a furore against this bill?" he asked.
On the Governor regretting the campaign, Acharya said it was meant to mobilise public opinion. In a democracy, any party has a right to inform the people.
"There is a need to put forth our view before the people...Otherwise, people may think we have done something which was not in our power to do," he said.
The BJP two days ago had decided to undertake a state-wide agitation from September 1 to press for its demand. Dharnas and demonstrations would be organised in all 224 Assembly segments till September 5.
On September 6, a day-long dharna would be held here, where Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, state BJP President K S Eshwarappa and office-bearers of all constituencies would participate in the protest.
Opposition parties in Karnataka - Congress and JDS - have expressed strong opposition to 'Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Bill, 2010.'
Acharya was critical that some bills forwarded to the President are yet to get assent despite being pending for a long time. In this communication age, any clarification, if needed, could be sought from the government quickly, he said.
In this context, he noted that the bill on prevention of organised crime in Karnataka is pending before the President, while a similar one in Maharashtra has become operational.
Some of the "simple" bills are also pending, including an amendment one where the issue of piracy was added in the anti-Goonda act, he said. "They are harrying us (in giving assent)," Acharya said.
