SHILLONG: Former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had written to several states to implement ban on cow slaughter in the 1980s.
Taking part in the discussion in the Assembly on Monday on the resolution brought by the State Government on cattle rules framed by the Centre, UDP legislator Paul Lyngdoh pointed out that in 1982 Indira Gandhi wrote to the chief ministers of 14 states to enforce the ban on cow slaughter and also formed a committee to inspect slaughter houses.
In 1979, when Morarji Desai was the Prime Minister, there was a move to impose ban on cow slaughter, he said and added that attempts were made in the past in this regard.
Supporting the resolution, Lyngdoh said visionary leaders like B.R Ambedkar, who framed the Constitution, had upheld the federal structure without bringing the issue of ban on cow slaughter under the Union list.
He also pointed out the various anomalies in the Centre’s notification on cattle rules and said the federal fabric of the country is disturbed over the Act.
Lyngdoh wanted the State Government to take the resolution on cattle rules to its logical end unlike other resolutions passed by the State Government in the past, including the one on the need to form a Boundary Commission.
He said the resolution should not be an end in itself but efforts should be made by the government to assert the rights of indigenous people to show that “we are not in a mood to compromise on our eating habits”.
Indirectly referring to the atrocities on people over issues related to cattle, Lyngdoh reminded that there was “mad cow disease” in Europe once upon a time which now has spread to India.
“If we believe in the saying that one man’s food is another man’s poison, there is no reason for interfering with the food habits of the people,” he added.
Supporting the resolution, Ardent Basaiawmoit (HSPDP) said the Centre’s notification will result in the virtual ban on cow slaughter.
He wanted to know the immediate measures the State will take to address the problem and also the next step in case the Centre does not revoke the notification.
“The State Government should also ensure that sufficient cattle reach the state to meet the requirements,” he said.
James Sangma of NPP said the concerns of the chief minister over the new cattle rules of the Centre are valid.
He, however, said apprehensions and fear over the matter are unfounded since the matter related to agriculture is not on the Union List and there is no danger to the federal structure since the powers are with the State Government.
The NPP leader also said party president Conrad Sangma had already written to the Prime Minister on the violation of fundamental rights of the citizens due to the new notification.
James, however, said the notification will help to check the health of animals and in this context this is a step in right direction.
D.D Lapang (Congress) said the makers of the Constitution led by B.R Ambedkar believed in unity and diversity and hence gave enough protection to all sections of people.
He also appreciated the Opposition members for their support to the resolution brought by the government.
Lapang also said the government will wait and watch on the withdrawal of the notification by the Centre.
John Leslee Sangma (Independent) while reminding the House about the Centre’s earlier plan to have Digital India Day on Good Friday and Good Governance Day on December 25, said the Centre should immediately withdraw the new cattle rules as it affects cultural practices of the people of the State.
Jemino Mawthoh of UDP said minorities and dalits are targeted by cow protection vigilante groups, but the Prime Minister had taken exception to the attacks.
He said except Tripura, among the Christian dominated states, beef consumption is more in Meghalaya.
“In fact, Meghalaya and not Jammu and Kashmir tops in beef eating compared to other states in the country,” Mawthoh said.
According to Mawthoh, beef is a poor man’s meat with high nutritional value.
The UDP legislator also said considering short supply of cattle, the State Government should do a lot more in terms of livestock mission.
“We need to focus more on cattle rearing in a big way like it was done in other countries. The State can bring special breed of cattle. Besides, fodder can be imported from Bangladesh,” he said.
He also wanted the State Government to constitute a committee to check the health of animals meant for slaughter.
Saleng Sangma (Independent) termed the Centre’s notification as ‘stupid and nonsensical’. He wanted to know why more animals were not included under the Centre’s notification.
“If consumption of beef is bad, then vegetables should also not be allowed to be eaten as they also have life,” Saleng said.
Legislators Titosstarwell Chyne and Embhahlang Syiemlieh (both UDP), K.P Pangniang and Witting Mawsor (both HSPDP) also took part in the discussion and stressed on the need for the Centre to withdraw the cattle regulation.
