Centre’s ban on sale of cattle for slaughter could cripple the farmers

All India Kisan Sabha condemned the Govt notification almost prohibiting cattle trade in the country. It is anti farmer and severe blow to rural agrarian economy under the Garb of cruelty to animal and this is the worst cruelty against the farmers. According to new rules published last on Thursday May 25 evening, the Centre has banned sale of cattle, which include bulls, cows, bullocks, buffaloes, steers heifers, calves and camels for the purpose of slaughter. In most states, except in Kerala and North east slaughter of cows is banned. Ever since BJP govt took over in May 2014 there have been several incidents by cow vigilantes in violence against those suspected to be selling or eating cow meats.

For ages, in India, selling of cattle was an important way through which the farmers managed financial distress. While the Govt say that the sale of cattle for slaughter outside the markets are still legal, the bare fact where most such sale happen within the market places as farmers may not have the means to transport cattle over long distances.

Besides cow vigilant criminals attack any such transport by Trucks, as happened so many such incidents in last few months. “To say you cannot sell cattle for six months from date of purchase, cannot sell infirm cattle will cripple the farmers in drought situation.” The Govt should purchase such cattle from the farmers so that they do not suffer financial distress.

Besides farmers will be forced to feed lakhs of unproductive old cattle and they would take limited cattle feed available. If they set them free then thousands of such cattle will form wild cattle gang and destroy crops in the fields.

So AIKS demand Govt should withdraw this anti-farmers black rules immediately in the interest of the farming community.

Hannan Mollah
General Secretary
New Delhi, 26.05.2017