BJP to mobilise public opinion on Bill banning cow slaughter

In a bid to exert pressure on President Pratibha Patil to give assent to the Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Bill, 2010 the ruling BJP has decided to launch a campaign in all Assembly constituencies from September 1.

“We want to mobile the public opinion. In a democracy, any party has a right to inform the people”, Acharya said noting that the Bill had been passed by both houses of the State Legislature. He pointed out that a six-member bench of the Supreme Court had upheld the right of States to pass anti-cow slaughter legislations.

Besides, Governor H R Bhardwaj had not sought any clarification on the Bill but had directed the State Law Department to send it to the Centre, Acharya said.  The minister said the Centre should not infringe upon the Constitutional right of the State in framing laws. He termed it unfortunate that several Bills forwarded to the President are yet to get assent despite pending for a long time.

Clarifications if required from the State government could be sought via e-mail, he added. He noted that the Bill on prevention of organised crime in Karnataka is pending before the President, while a similar one in Maharashtra had been given assent.

Guv’s statement hurts CM

Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa on Tuesday said he was hurt by Governor H R Bhardwaj’s statement that the BJP has been politicising the issue of banning slaughter of cow in the State.

Speaking to reporters at his home office Krishna, he said the government does not want to gain any political mileage by implementing the ban. “We have passed the anti-cow slaughter bill in the State Legislature in the interest of the State and its farmers. However, now the onus is on the people to either accept or reject the Bill,” he stated.

Labour Minister B N Bache Gowda has alleged in a press release that the Governor is politicking by not assenting to the anti cow slaughter and sakrama Bills. “The Governor has unnecessarily sent the anti-cow slaughter Bill to the President of India. Now, he is criticising the BJP’s plan to protest demanding approval of the Bill. Being pro-Congress he is finding fault with the BJP government,” he stated.

Deve Gowda speaks

JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda warned that his party would launch a counter protest if the BJP goes ahead with its plan to stage a dharna demanding the President of India to give assent to the cow slaughter ban Bill.

Speaking after meeting Governor H R Bhardwaj at Raj Bhavan, he said the BJP government will be directly responsible for any untoward incidents, when his party stages the counter protest.  It is unbecoming of the BJP to question the authority of the President of India, he alleged.