'Will Go On Hunger Strike': Karnataka Seers Say Repeal Of Anti-Conversion, Cow Slaughter Laws 'Anti-Hindu'

The meeting of the seers condemned the recent statements by some ministers on the move to withdraw the anti-conversion law and the Cow slaughter prevention Act.

The heads of 10 mutts in Dakshina Kannada district have shown their strong disapproval of the Karnataka government's decision to repeal the anti-conversion law and the cow slaughter prevention Act. According to PTI, the seers have called upon Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D K Shivakumar to not go ahead with any move to change the Acts adding that it will lead to social unrest in Dakshina Kannada and other districts of Karnataka. The seers are also going to submit a memorandum to the Governor, Chief Minister, and Deputy Chief Minister urging them not to repeal the laws.

The state government had in June said that it will introduce a bill to repeal the anti-conversion law in the legislature session, which starts on July 3. Ahead of the state assembly polls, Congress had indicated its intentions to withdraw the cow slaughter ban because of the difficulties farmers faced in the trade of sick and unproductive cattle by the 2020 law.

"The meeting of the seers condemned the recent statements by some ministers on the move to withdraw the Karnataka Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Act and amend the Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Act," Gurudevananda Swami of Odiyuru Mutt told reporters here on Friday.

Gurudevananda Swami called the move ‘anti-Hindu’ and said that the seers will go on a hunger strike if the government was to go ahead with the move. The seers will submit a memorandum to the Governor, Chief Minister, and Deputy Chief Minister urging them not to repeal the laws.

“Cow slaughter should not be allowed, even if the animal is old. The Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Act should be implemented strictly. All gaushalas in the state should be maintained and sanctioned funds should be released for them,” Gurudevananda Swami was quoted by Times Of India. 

Another seer, Rajashekarananda Swami, the chief Vajradehi mutt, said that they will also take a legal path if the government repeals the anti-conversion law or changes the cow slaughter prevention Act.