The Bombay High Court today asked the Maharashtra government the reason for banning slaughter, possession and consumption of cows, bulls and bullocks only and not including other animals in the ban under the state’s animal preservation laws.
A division bench of justices V M Kanade and A R Joshi was hearing a bunch of petitions challenging a provision under section 5 (d) of the recently amended Maharashtra Animal Preservation (Amendment) Act which bans possession and consumption of meat of animals like cow, bull and bullock.
According to the petitions, the flesh of these animals, if slaughtered outside Maharashtra, should be allowed inside the state.
“Why has the state banned only cows, bulls and bullocks? What about other animals like goat?” the bench asked.
To this, Advocate General Sunil Manohar said that “This is just the beginning”. We may consider banning slaughter of other animals too. As of now the state felt it was necessary to protect cows, bulls and bullocks,” he added.
The court also suggested the government to have a licence policy by which import of meat of cattle slaughtered outside the state can be permitted.
Senior counsel Aspi Chinoy, appearing for one of the petitioners, argued that section 5 (d) of the Act was arbitrary and against the fundamental right of a citizen and that if the object of the Act was to preserve cattle in Maharashtra, then import of meat should be allowed.
The bench directed the government to file its affidavit in reply to the petitions and posted the hearing on April 20.