Supreme Court stays Madras HC order on cow slaughter ban in Tamil Nadu
The Supreme Court has stayed the Madras High Court's order directing a blanket ban on cow slaughter in Tamil Nadu, granting interim relief to the Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government. The apex court's order comes ahead of Bakrid after the state challenged the High Court's ruling.
The Tamil Nadu government had argued that the High Court's May 27 order went beyond the scope of the original public interest litigation (PIL), which sought only to prevent the slaughter of cows in public places during Bakrid in Coimbatore. Instead, the High Court directed the state to ensure that no cow or calf was slaughtered anywhere in Tamil Nadu on Bakrid or any other day.
In its petition before the Supreme Court, the state contended that the High Court's directive effectively imposed an absolute prohibition that was contrary to the Tamil Nadu Animal Preservation Act, 1958. The government maintained that the law permits the slaughter of cows above 10 years of age if they are certified as permanently unfit for breeding or work by the competent authority.
The state also argued that Tamil Nadu's legal framework regulates animal slaughter through designated slaughterhouses and licensing provisions rather than imposing a blanket ban. It said the High Court's order conflicted with existing statutory provisions governing animal preservation and food safety.
The Supreme Court's interim stay provides temporary relief to the Tamil Nadu government while it examines the legality of the High Court's directions. The matter is expected to be heard further in the coming weeks.
