In the midst of protests over a Karnataka minister's statement calling for a review of the state's stringent anti-cow slaughter law, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the issue would be discussed at the cabinet meeting. Siddaramaiah stated that the previous BJP government's law was uncertain and that the state government will discuss it at the cabinet meeting. The chief minister told reporters that the Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Act of 1964 allowed the slaughter of cattle over the age of 12, barren cows, and other cows unfit for agricultural purposes.


"They [the Bharatiya Janata Party] amended it once," the Congress leader said. "We reverted to the previous provisions. They've changed it yet again. We'll talk about it at the Cabinet meeting," he added


The Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Act, 2020, passed by the BJP-led government of BS Yediyurappa, prohibits the sale, purchase, and disposal of cattle for slaughter. The only exceptions are terminally ill cattle and buffalos over the age of 13 that have been certified by authorities as fit for slaughter. The maximum penalty under the law is seven years in prison.


On June 3, state Animal Husbandry Minister K Venkatesh stated that while the government had not yet decided whether or not to review the law, it would discuss it and make a decision. According to NDTV, he asked, "If buffaloes can be slaughtered, why not cows?"


READ | Karnataka: BJP Workers Protest Against Non-Implementation Of Poll Guarantees, K Venkatesh's Remark On Cow Slaughter


Several BJP leaders accused him of undermining Hinduism. Former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai called on Siddaramaiah to provide "appropriate advice" to his Cabinet colleague.


"Animal Husbandry Minister K Venkatesh's statement is shocking," he declared. "We condemn his remarks. We Indians have an emotional bond with cows and revere them as mothers," he added. 


Ashwath Narayan, a BJP MLA, accused the Congress of attempting to disrupt communal harmony. "There's no good reason for Congress to repeal the cow slaughter bill," he says. "Congress is going against Hindu sentiment."


If the Congress government attempts to change the law, the BJP has stated that it will launch a statewide agitation. On Monday, party leaders held protests in various parts of the state.


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