New Delhi, 01 July (H.S.): The Tamil Nadu government has challenged the Madras High Court's order imposing a complete ban on cow slaughter in the state by filing an appeal before the Supreme Court. The state government has contended that the High Court's order is contrary to the provisions of the Tamil Nadu Animal Preservation Act.

In its petition, the Tamil Nadu government stated that the Tamil Nadu Animal Preservation Act permits the slaughter of cows above the age of 10 years if they are no longer fit for work or breeding. The petition further argued that, apart from the Tamil Nadu Animal Preservation Act, the provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Slaughter House) Rules, the Tamil Nadu Urban Local Bodies Act, and the Tamil Nadu Urban Local Bodies Rules also prescribe conditions governing the slaughter of animals, but none of these laws impose a complete prohibition on slaughter. The government submitted that by directing a total ban on cow slaughter, the High Court had acted in violation of these statutory provisions.

The Madras High Court had, on May 27, directed the state to impose a complete ban on cow slaughter. The petitioner, K. Surya Prashanth, General Secretary of Hindu Makkal Katchi, had approached the High Court seeking directions to ensure that slaughter was carried out only at designated places. However, the High Court went beyond the relief sought and ordered a complete prohibition on the slaughter of cows and calves at any place and under any circumstances.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar