Judgement Dealing With Subject Of Slaughter Of Animals In Light Of Indian Constitution

SR No.: 269193
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: C K Chaturvedi
Publisher: Akhil Bharat Krishi Go Seva Sangh
Total Pages: 40
Language: English
Classification: Article
File Size: 8 MB

Page 13

environment, leading to land deterioration, soil erosion and suppressive of the regeneration of usolul spocios. As ngninst this viow. at tho samno timo, Roport states that Cottlo havo Intricato rolntionship with life in rural India, in terms of Cow Dung. resources for manure or as fuel. Bullocks are used as drought animals. It states in a regrettable manner that social status of a family, is often linked to the number of animal owned by one and that cows are not siaughtered for meat.
52. The report thus appears to be in favour of slaughtering of cattle and cows for reason of overgrazing or for meat. Such a view can only be described as hurried and sweeping view, and is not obviously consistent with our culture in a tradition which stresses a need for harmony between man and nature, and, therefore, does not envisage weaving need of grazing lands in the planning process for human settlements, instead of blaming innocent cattle for their natural needs, and indirectly supporting their slaughter, for such shortsighted reasons. This view will also lead to progressive elimination of cattle from human life, as increasing population and pressure on land and migration from rural areas, and urbanisation, will compel more and more focus on needs of MAN alone. It appears that, scenario of man Vs. livestock or other animals has set in. As will be seen later, meat industry in India, does not see its growth and potential in the population which is unproductive, according to Ministry of Environment but, has its own dreams, based an economic ambitions, for cattle young or otherwise, depending on the price, it can fetch. This, industry blames Indian culture, and laments Industry's limitations for this reason. Such view are mere distortions from ecological points of view and lend to settle ecocide. Man is a part of the bio-sphere or environment, as interdependent, rather than independent element among all the other elements of it. Whatever he does would have an effect on himself. Bacon's statement Man can only control the biosphere by obeying it, applies on this. It is said that we are still far from knowing and understanding the functioning of it, while we are destroying the whole ecosystem, which cannot even be studied.
53. Now, apart from the environmental considerations, accepted economic role of livestock may be stated.
54. India possesses a large livestock population numbering 336.4 million according to a report of Government published in 1970. This includes 224.8 million cattle and buffaloes 101.0 million sheep and goats, 2 million pigs, 3.4 million horses, monkeys, donkeys and camels. There are in addition 114.2 million poultry birds. What is the actual number today after 20 years, is not known keeping in view lack of data on the number of killings, in an entirely unregulated situation obtaining today. Complete freedom of action seems to be the only rule of law in regard to livestock killings. Reports indicate the camel-ship of the desert is facing crises in Rajasthan owing to diversion of these to Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, where it is slaughtered for various purposes.
55 According to Government of India publication "The Wealth of India. Raw material Vol. VI Supplement, Livestock P-2.
"Cattle play vital role in the rural economy of India. Bullock are still the main source of motive power to agriculture operations and milk is the main source of animal protein in the dietary of the majority of the people. Cattle are used for many purposes such as, ploughing, harrowing, threshing, harvesting, for lifting water and for transporting the produce to the market. Besides, they replenish the fields with organic manure and yield hides and skins. Cows and bullocks are, therefore, regarded as the foundation of agriculture in India. India has been one of the largest supplier of hides and skins to the international market and has been earning good amount of foreign exchange through the sale of these products. Horns hoofs and bones are utilized in industrial and in the preparation of the bone-meal used as mineral supplements to cattle feeds and fertilizers. A precise evaluation of the cattle industry is hardly possible, in as much as, it is spread for the whole country in innumerable