Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy on Monday informed the House that his government would not ban the sale of cattle for slaughter at animal markets.
He was replying to the issue raised by Minister for Agriculture R. Kamalakannan, A. Anbalagan (AIADMK Amma), R. Siva (DMK) and T.P.R. Selvame (AINRC).
The territorial administration would not implement the Centre’s decision to ban the sale of cattle for slaughter. Agreeing with the concerns expressed by the members, the Chief Minister said ‘Gau rakshaks’, in the name of protecting cattle, had created mayhem in several parts of the country. Nobody could interfere in the rights of the people, he said.
There are a large number of beef eaters. Beef was an item of food for the poor as well as the rich.
Cultural diversity
The territory’s unique cultural confluence had to be taken into consideration, he said.
He said if the need arose, the administration would bring in a law to counter the order issued by the Centre.
Mr. Narayanasamy said he would write to the Prime Minister on the issue.
Raising the issue during zero hour, Mr. Kamalakannan said the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh had been trying to impose its agenda of taking away the rights of minority communities.
The decision by the Centre comes at the start of Ramzan, he added.
