Mangaluru: SDPI slams cattle sale ban; vows to move Supreme Court

Mangaluru, May 31: Amidst Ramadan fasting, activists of Social Democratic Party of India on Wednesday took to the streets in the city in protest against union government's nation-wide ban on sale and purchase of cattle for slaughter in open markets.

Pointing out that the centre's ban will crimp supplies to the country's Rs 1 lakh crore meat and allied industries that source about 90% of their requirements from animal markets, the protesters called it an anti-farmer and anti-poor move.

Addressing the protesters in front of the office of deputy commissioner, Abdul Hannan, Karnataka state president of SDPI, said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi led government is trying to snatch all the fundamental rights of the people of the country one after the other.

“The BJP had come to power three years ago with the promise of development and 'acche din'. However, the situation is worsening with every passing day,” he said.

Recalling Mr Modi's promise of 2 crore jobs every year, Abdul Hannan lamented that those who had job also losing their jobs under NDA rule. “Raising unemployment has created chaos across the country. The BJP is trying to hide these failures by resorting to controversial and sensational moves such as ban on sale of cattle for slaughter in open market,” he said.

Stating that selling cattle and their meat and also purchasing and consuming them are basic rights of all the people across the world, he said that the government's attempt to snatch such rights is not only undemocratic but also dangerous for the future of the country.

He went on to claim that an atmosphere of undeclared emergency prevailed in the country every since Modi came to power. “The country is moving backward because of illogic decisions of the union. Dalits, minorities, farmers and poor people are frustrated. Recent ban on sale of cattle is one of the most foolish moves of the government,” he said adding that SDPI would move supreme seeking rights of the people.

The protesters also raised their voice against the recent attack on newly constructed Lady of Fathima Church in Keesara mandal of Medchal district in Telangana. Haneef Khan Kodaje, presided over. Alfonso Franko, Ilyas Mohammed Thumbey, Athaulla Jokatte and many others spoke on the occasion.