In poll-bound Gujarat, the state Assembly has passed a law making cow slaughter punishable with the life imprisonment. With the amendment of the Gujarat Animal Preservation Act of 1954 on Friday, Gujarat now has the toughest law against cow slaughter in the country.
The Bharatiya Janata Party has been in power in Gujarat since 1995.
Under the previous law, which was amended in 2011, the maximum jail term was seven years in prison and a fine of up to ₹50,000.
Minister of State for Home Pradeepsinh Jadeja, said, "During this auspicious occasion of Chhetri Navratri, the government, on suggestions of several sadhu-sants, has made amendments to the Gujarat Animal Protection (Amendment) Act, 2011. This is the harshest law in the country."
Earlier this month, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani declared, "The BJP is committed to protect Gau, Ganga and Gita."
Also on HuffPost India:
In