The Supreme Court has sent a notice to the Maharashtra government as a batch of petitions has challenged the Bombay HC decision of upholding state law banning bovine slaughter.

The petitions are filed by All India Jamiatul Quresh of Maharashtra and Delhi which has alleged that the ban has affected their livelihood and is being used as a political tool. They have also demanded in the petition that the Qureshi sommunity should be allowed to slaughter bulls and bullocks, which have crossed 16 years of age as they are of no use to farmers.

The bench of Justice A. K. Sikri and Justice D. Y. Chandrachud has issued notice to the state on the above-mentioned petition.

Earlier, the Bombay HC had upheld the decision by the Maharashtra government of banning the slaughter of bulls and bullocks, besides cow, under Maharashtra Animal Preservation (Amendment) Act.

While taking a hearing on the same decision, Bombay High Court on May 6 upheld the government’s decision and this time even banned the possession of beef imported from a state where cow slaughter was not illegal and the same decision was then challenged by Akhil Bharat Krishi Goseva Sangh.

In its ruling the Bombay HC had observed, “The State government has justified the prohibition imposed on slaughter of a cow, bull or bullock by contending that the cow progeny excreta is recognised as a source of rich organic manure which enables farmers to avoid the use of chemicals as well as inorganic manure…”

The SC has tagged the issues and has scheduled hearing after six weeks.

Banning cow slaughter was already in action in the state since a long time and a new ban on slaughtering of bulls and bullocks has affected many business in the state, including the famous leather business and cobbler’s business as the famous Kolhapuri chappal makers are under threat after this ban.

By Prajakt K.