Revoke anti-people cattle sale rules

The new rules notified by the Narendra Modi government with the purported aim of regulating cattle trade and the functioning of livestock mark­ets will effectively undermine these markets and badly hurt the interests and livelihood of farmers, especially small farmers. The rules, which ban the sale and pur­chase of cattle from markets for slaughter, will also hit the dairy industry. The negative impact will be felt in many areas and in many ways. Farmers who usually own one or two cattle will not be able to sell them after their productive period. Since the cost of keeping them will be too high, most farmers may decide not to rear cattle at all. That will deprive them of their liveli­hood. The rules cover animals like bulls, buffaloes and camels, apart from cows. All these animals have a big role in domestic and national economies.

The buffalo meat export industry and leather industry will be badly affected. India is the world’s second largest beef exporter. Buffalo meat export is worth Rs 26,000 crore. Millions of people depend on these industries for their livelihood. Jobs will be lost. India is also the largest milk producer but the restrictions will lead to a considerable fall in production. Consumers will also be affected. The prices of milk, meat, leather and related products will go up because of reduced supply. While the decision is disruptive and will impose huge costs on the economy, the claims about its need and purpose are wrong and unconvincing. The government says the aim is to ensure that animals are not subjected to cruelty. But other animals and birds like sheep and chicken are not treated with great kindness. The Centre’s aim is, in fact, protection of the cow and the notification is part of the Sangh Parivar’s cow politics.

The government violated the federal principle by encroaching into the domain of states which have the power to regulate cattle trade and animal markets. It took recourse to a ruse by issuing the notification as part of the rules to prevent cruelty to animals. No state government or any stakeholders like the dairy, meat or leather industry were consulted on such an important matter. The impression that the decision is directed against the minority community, whose members are predominantly engaged in the trades and professions which will be affected, is very real. It also seeks to regulate the eating habits of people and denies a cheap source of protein to them. The rules can lead to more vigilantism now. The ill-conceived and mischievous notification is bound to be challenged in courts even by states. The Centre should withdraw it before its impact is felt.