Chennai: Even as CM Edappadi K Palanisami refused to comment on the Centre’s ban on cattle sale for slaughter, opposition parties have vehemently condemned the move and geared up to launch a massive agitation.
“I cannot react based on media reports and I can reply only after fully studying notification,’ Palanisami told reporters who sought his reaction on the controversial move.
Condemning the move, Oppn Leader M.K. Stalin urged the Centre to withdraw the ban to protect the country’s pluralism. “Centre should not curtail the freedom of choice in respect of food. BJP govt should refrain from shaking the basic tenet of secularism enshrined in the Constitution and the move is nothing but an attempt to cause damage to the nation’s secular principles and deprive minorities, farmers and poor farmers of their rights,” Stalin said.
Terming the move as a wrong decision, PMK founder leader Dr S Ramadoss demanded that the Centre withdraw the notification. The notification was issued with a “narrow intention” and without understanding the reality. Coming down heavily on the BJP for indulging in “cattle politics”, CPI (M) State secretary G Ramakrishnan said the move would pose threat to farmers. This would lead to social unrest.
Dubbing the notification as a war against “people and democratic policies”, VCK leader Thirumavalavan urged the Centre to withdraw the notification immediately. After the BJP government formed in Centre, cow vigilantes were unleashing terror in the country and engaged in extortion. They committed several murders,” he said, adding that his party will stage a statewide demonstration on June 2 demanding its withdrawal.
