India bans sale of cows for slaughter at animal markets

By Shuriah Niazi

NEW DELHI (AA) - The Indian government on Friday banned the sale of cows and buffaloes in animal markets for slaughter.

According to the new guidelines set by the Indian Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, one can only bring cattle to an open market after submitting a written declaration that cattle will not be sold for the purpose of slaughter.

The decision is expected to hurt farmers and Muslim meat traders in the country in a big way as the new notification also bans the sale of bulls, bullocks, buffaloes, steers, heifers and camels.

Farmers will have no choice but to keep their aged or non-milch cattle instead of selling them like they used to do.

Muslim meat traders, who have been facing violence from cow vigilante groups, will have problems finding animals for slaughter. Those who deal in leather trade will also find it hard to get raw materials.

Cows are considered sacred in Hindu religion. After Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power in 2014, many states in the country enacted harsher laws against cow slaughter.

As of March 31, killing a cow in the western state of Gujarat is punishable with life imprisonment after The State Assembly amended the Gujarat Animal Preservation Act to make it harsher.

The amended act also brings a jail term of 7 to 10 years for those in possession of beef, in addition to a fine ranging from $1500 to $7500.