Serious consequences if anti-beef ban bill is stonewalled: NC

Accusing ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) for being in a "fixed match" with its ally BJP to sabotage its proposed anti-beef ban bill in Jammu and Kashmir, Opposition National Conference (NC) today warned of "serious consequences" if the speaker tries to "stonewall" the discussion on the bill.

"We are committed to the anti-beef ban bill that party leaders have submitted in the Assembly Secretariat. We hope the Speaker doesn't demolish the credibility and sanctity of the chair he occupied by sabotaging the bill.

"If that happens, there will be very serious consequences. It won't be tolerated at any cost. Neither the PDP nor the BJP should have any doubts about this," NC General Secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar said in a statement here.

Sagar said the speaker of the Legislative Assembly should realize that he is the speaker of the entire house of elected representatives and not that of the treasury benches alone.

"The speaker's preemptive remarks that he won't allow certain bills to be tabled in the Legislative Assembly reeks of a very tragic partisan and ideological bias which goes against the ethics and covenants of democracy and the constitution.

"The speaker has no right to interfere into the democratic process of law-making by curtailing the rights of elected representatives to propose amendments in existing laws. This is not just a political point but a legal point as well. Any bill, proposing amendments in existing laws, cannot be stonewalled by the speaker.

If this happens this would be unprecedented and would discredit democracy and its institutions in the state," the former minister said.

The senior NC leader also lashed out at the PDP for being in a "fixed match" with BJP and being "united" in their "ulterior plans" to sabotage the Bill proposing amendment in relevant sections of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC) which would in-turn decriminalise cow-slaughter, sale and consumption of beef in the state.

"PDP's Chief Spokesperson has said that a bill in the Assembly would not be the 'right way' and that PDP would rather 'build consensus' on this issue. Shame on PDP for such a brazen, shameless show of cowardice and lack of integrity," Sagar said.

He said there was no other or better way to amend a law than to bring a bill in the Assembly.

"The only other way for the government was to bring in an ordinance – which we had demanded should be done ahead of Eid-ul-Azha festival. I do not know which 'other ways' PDP is imagining to exist.

If they do not have a spine to stand up for the sentiments and rights of the people, they should openly say so and ask for forgiveness for selling their souls. These ridiculous statements do nothing but add insult to injury," the NC General Secretary added.