Intense protests erupted across Kerala on Friday over the May 23 notification of the Central Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change that allegedly banned sale and purchase of cattle for slaughter at animal markets in the country.
While the CM, his Cabinet colleagues, parties in the Congress-led Opposition and many cultural leaders interpreted the ban as violation of Constitution, infringement on the citizens’ right to choice of food and bid to impose Sangh Pariwar agenda, the State BJP maintained that the notification had not banned sale or purchase of cattle for slaughter and the protests were only part of anti-BJP propaganda.
Describing the Central move as unacceptable in the Indian democratic system, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said, “This is a sector which employs thousands of people. All those are now going to lose their livelihood. It shows their (the BJP’s) determination to impose (on the people) whatever it wishes,” he said.
“The notification marks the beginning of a communal and disruptive scheme. The Prime Minister, who is an RSS Pracharak, and his associates have issued this order just when the country is preparing to welcome the holy month of Ramadan,” said State CPI(M) secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan in a Facebook post.
Joining the protesters, Opposition leader in the Assembly Ramesh Chennithala termed the Central move as violation of fundamental rights.