Karnataka to soon ban cow slaughter, beef consumption

The Karnataka government “will soon implement a ban on cow slaughter and sale and consumption of beef”, according to State Animal Husbandry Minister Prabhu Chauhan.
A ban on cow slaughter was one of the promises of the BJP in its 2018 Karnataka Assembly polls manifesto.
Chauhan said he would discuss the proposed ban on cow slaughter with Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa. Chauhan said, “If this pandemic situation eases, by next session, if not by upcoming Assembly session, we will try to bring Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Bill.” Chauhan claimed, “The government will form a team of experts to look into [it] once the current pandemic situation eases. If necessary, the team of experts will visit states like Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat.” Both Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat have strict laws against cow slaughter.
In 2010, Yediyurappa in his first stint as chief minister had introduced the Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Bill, 2010. The legislation would have instituted a blanket ban on cow slaughter and consumption of beef. However, the bill did not get presidential assent and was withdrawn after the Congress returned to power in 2013.
Karnataka already has the Karnataka Prevention of Cow Slaughter and Cattle Preservation Act, 1964, which permits slaughter of bulls, bullocks and buffalos that are over 12 years of age and are unfit for breeding and giving milk.