Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma Says Assam Cattle Preservation Bill, 2021 Will Strengthen Communal Harmony

Picture : Twitter / ANI

Assam assembly has passed a bill to regulate the slaughter, consumption and transportation of cattle, notwithstanding the walkout staged by the opposition parties in protest against the government’s refusal to forward the legislation to a select committee.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party members shouted ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ and ‘Jai Shri Ram’ slogans and thumped desks as soon as Speaker Biswajit Daimary announced the Assam Cattle Preservation Bill, 2021 as passed.

The lone Independent legislator, Akhil Gogoi, had walked out of the House when the bill was taken up for consideration.

The Opposition Congress, AIUDF and CPI-M had urged the government to refer the bill to an Assembly select committee for vetting, but Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, during his reply on a discussion on the legislation, rejected the proposal.

Sarma, in his response, said the bill had no bad intention and claimed it will strengthen communal harmony. Speaking to ANI, Sarma further explained, As the bill is passed today, henceforth, no slaughter or sale purchase of beef can take place within 5 km radius of any temple/monastery. Wherever there are non-beef eating people – Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, even if there are Muslims living, they will not consume beef.

The legislation doesn’t intend to stop anyone from consuming beef, but the person who eats must also respect the religious sentiments of others, the CM said.

“It can’t be that only Hindus are responsible for maintaining communal harmony, Muslims must also reciprocate,” he added.