Bhopal: The much-hyped bill on violent cow vigilantism was not cleared in Madhya Pradesh assembly on Wednesday as the House handed it for more consideration to Select Committee after BJP MLAs objected it saying in present form the bill seems in favour of those engaged in cow slaughter and seeks to penalise who would try to prevent it.
Debating over the bill in MP assembly on Wednesday, former Home Minister Buupendra Singh objected to the amendment saying the original act has the provision of mandatory transport permit for transportation of cows but this amendment seeks to make it optional.
The amendment also proposes stringent punishment for anyone intervening cow transport which means there is no punishment for transportation of cows without the required permit but those asking them questions for safety of cattle would be punished.
Claiming that this amendment in the act would only see a rise in cow slaughter, Singh claimed this could also disturb social harmony in the state. “In present form, it seems the Congress government is planning to shelter those engaged in cow slaughter,” he alleged.
Contrary to expectations, the bill only talks about cow vigilantism and no mention of other kinds of mob lynching such as people getting lynched over suspension of kidnapping kids, atrocious rapes or stealing vehicles, observed Singh adding the Supreme Court has also asked states to frame laws to prevent mob lynching.
Senior MLA Shivraj Singh Chouhan too alleged the amendment would ensure that cow smugglers would send cows to butcher houses without any trouble. “Gaushalas would not be required then as no cows would be left.” He urged the Congress government not to target gau-rakshaks over mob lynchings and include all types of incidents. He asked the government to send the bill to Select Committee for further deliberations.
Responding to the debate, Chief Minister claimed the bill was proposed with good intent and the state government hadn’t any politics in mind. “Hearing the suspicions and fears of MLAs, I propose that the bill be sent to Select Committee,” said Nath amid greetings form the BJP MLAs.
Speaker NP Prajapati accepted the proposal and announced the details of formation of the committee would be made public later. As a goodwill gesture, the speaker ordered to show the proposed bill to Shankaracharya as well.