Southern States - Kerala   

Antony mum on move to ban cow slaughter

By Our Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM Aug. 13. The Chief Minister, A.K. Antony, put knowing smiles on many a face in the Assembly today by opting not to state clearly where he and his Government stood on the Central Government's move to ban cow slaughter.

Mr. Antony, already the subject of much debate for his refusal to ban the Vishwa Hindu Parishad's (VHP) trident distribution programme and initiate action against the VHP leader, Pravin Togadia, for his "inflammatory speeches" while in Kerala recently, would not say where he stood on the question of cow slaughter despite his partyman and the Speaker, Vakkom Purushothaman, coming out strongly against it.

The issue was raised by the CPI(M) deputy legislature party leader, Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, during zero hour. He pointed out that Kerala would be the worst-hit by the ban on cow slaughter as sale of beef was the means of livelihood of thousands in the State. Hundreds of small eateries in Kerala were dependent on sale of beef. Ban on cow slaughter might also result in the sale of spurious and decayed meat. This could pose serious health hazards, he added.

Mr. Balakrishnan reminded the Chief Minister that his word would carry considerable weight with the Centre and should, therefore, be used to ensure that cow slaughter was not banned. He also sought adoption of a resolution by the House against any move to ban cow slaughter.

The Speaker endorsed the CPI(M) member's views and said the proposed ban was not only improper, but would also cause serious difficulties to poor farmers. Unlike other parts of the country, there was no means to feed sterile and old animals and the farmers in the State would be hard put to maintain the aged bovine population.

"It's the poor man's meat and should not be banned,'' he said.

However, Mr. Antony was not prepared to go to such lengths. The Central proposal, he said, was to ban cow slaughter by converting agriculture and animal husbandry into Central subjects. The relevant bill was yet to be introduced in Parliament.

The Government would communicate its views to the Centre when asked to do so, he added.

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