BJP take to streets as Siddaramaiah ‘defiant’ on Cow Slaughter Act

Umar Sharieef | NT

Bengaluru: “If one can slaughter buffaloes and bulls, what is wrong with slaughtering cows?” Minister for Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services K Venkatesh said on Friday, leaving the Opposition in the State fuming. The Congress leaders’ comment drew a strong backlash from the BJP, the principal opposition party in the State. A few hours after the minister’s comment, an outraged former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai asked who was the minister trying to appease.

“The minister has made the statement to appease whom? Does he want his portfolio to be changed or was it to please the Congress party’s high command?” Bommai asked. The Congress, without mincing words on the controversial issue, revealed its stand. The party is backing its minister.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said his government will discuss the issue in the Cabinet, and hinted that there was no restriction in slaughtering a cow that is over 12 years old. His comments, however, sparked a row among the already agitated BJP members, leading them to protest along with cows at the Freedom Park here on Tuesday. On June 5, they had held a similar protest in Mangaluru.