NC plans to seek amendment to the law banning bovine slaughter in the state
Amid differences between the two coalition partners — PDP and BJP— on beef ban verdict of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court, the saffron party has toughened its stand on the issue and asserted that it would not allow passage of any Bill in the Assembly which aims at revoking the ban.
“Our stand is clear on the issue. We are of the strong opinion that the decision taken by the High Court to ban beef in the state must be strictly implemented,” said Jugal Kishore Sharma, state BJP president.
When his attention was drawn towards the statement of PDP president Mehbooba Mufti that beef should not be banned in J&K, Jugal Kishore said: “I don’t know what the PDP president had stated but one thing is clear.
We will not allow passage of any Bill in the Assembly which revokes the existing ban on slaughtering of bovines in the state.
”When asked about the party’s stand in case the PDP came out in support of the Bill, likely to be introduced by the National Conference (NC) in the Assembly, he said: “It is purely a hypothetical question. Let the NC bring the Bill, then only will the situation be clear.
”The BJP president, however, said those favouring bovine slaughter and sale and purchase of beef in the state for petty political gains should keep in mind the sentiments of the minority community of the state. “Just for political gains, political parties should not hurt the sentiments of the minority community. In a secular set-up such as ours, due respect should be given to emotions and sentiments of the minorities to make democracy more vibrant and accommodating,” he added.Meanwhile, Union Minister of State for Agriculture Sanjeev Balyan has advocated action against those who defy the High Court direction on beef ban in J&K.“The decision taken by the High Court must be strictly implemented. Definitely, action must be taken against those who defy the ruling of the High Court,” Balyan told reporters in Jammu.Replying to a question on why the BJP was silent on slaughter of bovines openly, he said: “The BJP is not silent. The decision (of the High Court) has to be strongly implemented. The BJP has not failed (in the implementation of ban) anywhere. The BJP has implemented it in Haryana, Maharashtra and the party will implement it everywhere.”
Cong remains non-committal
Srinagar: J&K Pradesh Congress Committee president GA Mir on Tuesday said his party would first examine the resolution of the NC on revoking the beef ban in the state and then decide whether it will support it. “Let them (NC) bring the Bill (in the Assembly). Once we have a look, only then we will decide,” Mir told reporters here. He was reacting to reports of the NC announcement that the party would bring a Bill seeking amendment to the law banning sale and slaughter of bovines. Mir said the Congress would raise issues faced by the people in the upcoming autumn session of the legislature and question the delay in rehabilitating the victims of the last year’s September floods. — TNS