It is not enough if the government merely bans cattle slaughter (“BJP for law against cattle slaughter in all States,” March 16). Due to advances in agricultural and cattle breeding technologies, farmers find it uneconomical to retain animals that are redundant and unproductive. Therefore, they are being sold to butchers. If the ban is to be successful, this problem of farmers should be mitigated. Otherwise, the slaughter of animals will continue illegally. Therefore, the government should find ways to utilise such animals. There is a great demand for cattle products, especially desi breeds, because of the growing popularity of Ayurveda and organic farming.
A. Gajanana,Bengaluru
The ban is welcome as it will go a long way in protecting our forests and wildlife. People who live in and around forests rear cattle in large numbers which they then sell to slaughter houses. Till the cattle reach the stage of being sold to slaughter houses, there is an intermediate income from selling dung. A visitor to the Sathyamangalam tiger reserve or the Mudumalai sanctuary, both in Tamil Nadu, will understand this economic activity. The number of cattle reared for agricultural activities such as ploughing or even for milk production is minuscule. In these areas, one can come across mounds of dung and cattle being transported in lorries to slaughter houses. The practice is prevalent in and around almost all forest areas. Cattle grazing is one of the main reasons for the degradation of our forests. The ban will render cattle rearing unviable, in turn easing the pressure on forests.
K.P.M. Perrumahl,Coimbatore
The ban on cattle slaughter is a sensitive subject (Editorial, March 17). While most BJP MPs and Ministers have ruled out a Central law banning cattle slaughter, right-wing elements make much ado about this as they have been doing in the other resolutions of the ruling party. Though the law might be relevant, the implementation cannot be sudden since many people belonging to different social status and various creeds depend more on beef and meat; it’s a source of inexpensive protein. Hence, the change would be only gradual.
Meenakshi Pattabiraman , Madurai
