Mumbai: Maharashtra government, today, told the Bombay High Court that religion has got nothing to do with its recent ban on slaughter of cows, bulls and bullocks and consumption and possession of their meat.
Advocate General Sunil Manohar made this submission while opposing a bunch of petitions challenging the ban introduced under the Maharashtra Animal Preservation (Amendment) Act.
The petitions have challenged only Sections 5(d) and 9(a) of the Act, which prohibit possession and consumption of meat of cow, bulls and bullocks even if the animals have been slaughtered outside Maharashtra. According to the petitions, this puts a ban on import of meat.
The Advocate General raised the issue of religion when advocates appearing for a number of organisations, who filed intervening applications supporting the ban, argued that cow progeny is considered sacred in our nation.
"The state government's contention is not that the ban is introduced due to religion," Mr Manohar said.
A division bench of justices VM Kanade and MS Sonak agreed to this and said, "According to state government, religion has got nothing to do with the ban. This contention has neither been argued by the petitioners nor the state. So you (interveners) please do not expand your arguments to this issue."
The court also queried if it could, as part of judicial review, try to ascertain the real purpose behind the ban.
Advocate Subash Jha, appearing for one of the interveners Vardhaman Parivar, argued that even in Mahabharata it has been said that cow progeny should be protected and preserved. Mr Jha also gave the example of Mangal Pandey who refused to touch cow meat.
Advocate Rakesh Kumar, appearing for another intervener, argued that earlier cow progeny was not considered as sacred but now it is (considered), looking at its utilities.
The high court will continue hearing the arguments tomorrow.
Advocate General Sunil Manohar made this submission while opposing a bunch of petitions challenging the ban introduced under the Maharashtra Animal Preservation (Amendment) Act.
The petitions have challenged only Sections 5(d) and 9(a) of the Act, which prohibit possession and consumption of meat of cow, bulls and bullocks even if the animals have been slaughtered outside Maharashtra. According to the petitions, this puts a ban on import of meat.
"The state government's contention is not that the ban is introduced due to religion," Mr Manohar said.
Advertisement
The court also queried if it could, as part of judicial review, try to ascertain the real purpose behind the ban.
Advertisement
Advocate Rakesh Kumar, appearing for another intervener, argued that earlier cow progeny was not considered as sacred but now it is (considered), looking at its utilities.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
"Her Right To Choose": Court Allows Teen Sex Abuse Survivor To Continue Pregnancy No Relief Yet For Kangana Ranaut's 'Emergency', She Claims Court Win Court Slams Cops' "Lackadaisical, Lethargic Manner" In Thane Murder Case LIVE: Arvind Kejriwal Resigns, Atishi To Be Delhi Chief Minister AAP Asks Its Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal To Quit Over Atishi Remarks Video: Leopard Spotted Crossing Road In Bengaluru's Electronic City Giorgia Meloni's Far-Right Ally Raffaele Fitto Gets Top European Union Role Class 11 Student On Way To Coaching Centre Raped In UP: Police Pics: Supercars Line Up At The World's Largest Temple, Tourists Stunned Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.