Lighthouse

Author(s): Udayvallabhvijay
Publisher: Pragna Prabodh Parivar

Page 68

Violence towards dumb creatures has always been a sensitive subject. Before delving on the subject, let there be some clarification. There is prohibition on slaughter of cow throughout the country (excepting two or three States) and this prohibition is not enforced by Jains butitis pre-existing and has been imposed in deference to the sentiments of people at large and observing the Constitutional mandates. This prohibition is in force for the past sixty years. It is not something new. Can any State impose total prohibition on slaughter of entire cow progeny (cows, bulls, bullocks and calves?) This issue was debated amongst the panels of legal luminaries and scholars both in High Courts and Supreme Court. The matter was before the Supreme Court for almost a decade and after hearing the say of all concerned parties, a constitution bench of seven judges headed by the then Chief Justice delivered a historic judgement in the year 2005. The core of this Judgement was that considering the usefulness of cattle, usefulness of its dung in agricultural fields, utility of cattle as draught animals etc., cattle are an important part of the economy of the country and hence if any State desires to impose total prohibition on slaughter of entire cow progeny, it is in consonance with the spirit of Article 48 of the Constitution. Presently, there is total prohibition on slaughter of entire cow progeny in thirteen States of the country. One must remember that it is not the government of Jains in all these States or the courts upholding the ban are also not under the sway of Jains. In this background, if and when there is
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