Alleging that the ban on sale of cattle for slaughter in animal markets was an onslaught on individual rights, religious freedom and secularism guaranteed under the Constitution, DMK working president M.K. Stalin on Monday said his party would organise a demonstration in front of the collectorate in Chennai on May 31 to condemn the move and the indifference of the AIADMK government to the issue.
In a statement here, the DMK leader said that while the Central government’s notification imposing restrictions on cattle market would have far-reaching implications for the rural economy and traditional agriculture, the State government remained silent instead of fighting for the welfare of the cattle farmers in Tamil Nadu.
Livelihood issue
Mr. Stalin said at a time agriculture in the State was going through a crisis and farmers were committing suicide, only cattle provided livelihood to them, and the restrictions imposed on their trade would further aggravate the situation.
“When they are not able to feed the old bulls and cows, farmers will sell them and make money. It is not only to increase the individual income but also a traditional agriculture practice. But the Centre has failed to take into consideration all these aspects before imposing a ban on the sale of cattle for slaughter,” Mr. Stalin said.
