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Kerala red signal for RSS move'

Crores of people are engaged in slaughtering of these cattle for consumption.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday lashed out at the Centre’s ban on slaughter of cattle and enforcing strict control over its sale saying that the decision was part of implementing the RSS agenda in the country. In a statement here he said people belonging to different religions and culture formed the country. Pluralism is the essence of our democracy and the Centre’s decision is an attack on plurality. He said so far Sangh Parivar had unleashed violence in many parts of the country in the name of cow slaughter. However, the ban has now been made applicable to ox, buffalo and camel.

Crores of people are engaged in slaughtering of these cattle for consumption. Mr Pinarayi said meat eating was not restricted to any particular religion. People belonging to all religions have been consuming meat from pre-historic time. By enforcing a ban the Modi government is infringing on the rights of people to eat the food of their choice. He said meat, especially beef, is the staple food that provides nutrition to the poor of the country. The Chief Minister said the decision therefore was a direct attack on the poor. People across the country should raise their voice against such uncivilised actions. If cattle is banned today, it could be fish tomorrow.

Mr Pinarayi said the Centre should have heard the views of the states before taking a decision on nationwide ban. Under the federal system the states also enjoy many privileges and they should have been taken into consideration by Centre. However, the Centre is acting in a manner that will destroy the federal sector. He said the Centre’s decision would render lakhs of people jobless. With this ban the leather industry will face a major crisis. More than 25 lakh people are engaged in leather industry and majority of them are Dalits. Hence, it will hit hard the poorest of the poor.

Mr Pinarayi said recently the Sangh Parivar had unleashed violence against those transporting cattle. Instead of checking such violent incidents the government has come out with this ban which clearly indicated that the ruling dispensation is under the firm control of RSS. Agriculture minister V.S. Sunilkumar rejected the Centre’s decision to ban the sale of cattle for slaughter. He termed the move as anti Constitutional. “We will take decision after going through the legal aspects of the whole issue. It is a direct attack on the people’s right to food and freedom to eat whatever food one preferred. Finance minister Dr Thomas Isaac hit out at the Centre for banning the sale of cattle for slaughter. There is lot of ambiguity in the Central government’s order and it should be examined legally. The cattle slaughter comes under the state powers. BJP government led by Narendra Modi was pushing the country back to the bullock cart age.

( Source : Deccan Chronicle. )
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