The Bharatiya Janata Party will press for stronger anti-cattle slaughter laws in all States and actively pursue the legislative route in the States ruled by it. After Haryana, Rajasthan is likely to table a bill on cattle slaughter, party sources said.
“The party’s manifesto in Bihar will also promise a legislation banning cattle slaughter if the BJP comes to power,” Mayankeshwar Singh, national convener of the BJP’s Cow Development Cell, told The Hindu. Mr Singh led a delegation to the Prime Minister in August 2014 seeking a Central legislation.
A senior BJP leader said while the party was committed to a complete ban on cow slaughter, it would not push for a Central legislation. “Even though the Constitution calls for it, the ban remains a contentious issue. It is a sensitive matter and we are in favour of building a consensus,” a party vice-president said.
He added that the party remained wary after the BJP’s 13-day government in 1996 avowed to bring a legislation and faced political isolation.
