Gujarat has become the first State in the country to introduce life term for those who would be found guilty of cow slaughter or direct involvement with cow slaughter as the State Assembly on Friday passed the Gujarat Animal Preservation (Amendment) Act, 2017.
The Bill passed in the House also has provisions for financial penalty ranging from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 5 lakh for such a crime. According to Gujarat's Home Minister Pradipsinh Jadeja, if anyone was found to illegally keep or transport a cow, under the new law, the new Act has provision for 10 years imprisonment and minimum of 7 years in jail and a fine of Rs 1 lakh to Rs 10 lakh.
"Till date the provision was to withhold such vehicles for six months but now the provisions include forfeiture," Jadeja said adding that the new Act includes seizure of the vehicles used for transportation of animals for slaughter.
The State Government has also put curbs on transportation of cows in the state. Even the legal and licensed movement of the cattle would not be allowed between 7.00 pm in the evening to5.00 am in the morning. This is being done to further restrict any illegal movement of cattle.
Besides, after the passing of the new bill cow related crime no longer is bailable. The State Government was determined to implement new law strictly, said the Minister. Talking about the rationale for a new law, Jadeja said that several religious saints and leading citizens had in the past petitioned before the Chief Minister seeking a stricter law for cow protection.
"Cow is symbol of Indian culture. Cow protection is not only about religious sentiments but also is of great economic benefit to our society," he added.