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Centre Introduces New Clause In Animal Protection Law To Ban Sale Of Cows For Slaughter Across India

Cows can now only be sold for agricultural purposes.
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The Centre has now introduced a special clause in the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act of 1960 which says that cows can now only be sold to farm land owners.

The move comes amid repeated incidents of assault by cow vigilantes across the country.

The Hindustan Times reported that under the new clause, a first central regulation for cow protection, cows can be only sold for agricultural purposes and not for slaughter. The new law also stipulates that young, or old unfit cows cannot be sold.

This means that farmers won't be able to sell cows that are old. Most states in India have a ban on cow slaughter.

The report also said that animal markets, which are usually held in most states near borders, will now have to be shifted because the new rules prohibit them within 50 km of an international border and 25 km of a state border.

The report also says that things may have been made difficult for cattle traders, who are mostly illiterate, because now after buying cattle they will have to make five copies of proof of sale and submit them at the local revenue office, the local veterinary doctor and the animal market committee. The other two copies will remain with the buyer and seller.

The new law assumes significance given the incidents of violence and mob justice across the country in the name of protecting cows. It was only recently that a cattle trader, Pehlu Khan, was beaten to death in Rajasthan by so called 'gau rakshaks' or cow vigilantes.

These new rules may make it all the more difficult for cattle traders to buy and sell cattle. It remains to be seen whether these rules give more ammunition for vigilante mobs. Read the entire story here.

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This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.