The former Prime Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) president, H.D. Deve Gowda, on Thursday met President Pratibha Patil here along with a delegation of party MPs, MLAs, MLCs, former Ministers and senior leaders and urged her to “consider and determine whether it is reasonable and justifiable” to give assent to the “Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Bill, 2010” in the larger interests of Karnataka and the nation.
The Bill, when it becomes a law would not only leave a large section of the population unemployed but also force the farmers, who constitute nearly 70 per cent of the State's population, into further penury. The Bill was an assault on and encroachment of the food habits of a considerable section of the population.
“The cumulative effect of this legislation will certainly not be conducive for the peaceful coexistence of different communities in Karnataka and there is every possibility that peace and tranquillity in the State may be the first casualty,” said the delegation to Ms. Patil in a memorandum.
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The Bill, passed by both the Houses of the Karnataka legislature was against the farmers, minorities and Dalits, and was brought by the BJP government with “communal” motive. It imposed unnecessary and unwarranted prohibition on the exercise of a fundamental right of a particular section of society to carry on occupation, trade or business. The former Chief Minister, H.D. Kumaraswamy, the former Ministers H.D. Revanna and M.C. Nanaiah, and Janata Dal (S) national general secretary Kunwar Danish Ali were part of the delegation.