No plan to ban slaughter of other animals: Maharashtra CM

Maharashtra government has no plan to ban slaughter of animals other than bulls and cows, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Tuesday.

Devendra Fadnavis

"I have spoken to Advocate General who has said that his statement in the court yesterday has been misinterpreted," Fadnavis said in the state Legislative Assembly.

His statement came in the wake of demands from Shiv Sena members Arjun Khotkar and Sunil Prabhu, seeking to know the state's stand on Bombay High Court's query to the government as to why there is ban on slaughter of cows, bulls and bullocks only, amid reports in a section of media that the government might extend the ban.

Fadnavis said there is no restriction on the government to ban slaughter of other animals but there are no such judicial orders as well. "Neither Advocate General Sunil Manohar has tabled such a view nor given any such reference," he said, adding, that the government has no stand regarding a blanket ban on slaughter of animals other than cows and bulls.

Earlier, Sunil Prabhu (Sena) quoted Manohar saying that the ban on slaughter of animals would be done in phases. "This has created confusion in the minds of people," he said and sought clarification from the Chief Minister. Another Sena legislator Arjun Khotkar had raised the similar issue through a point of propriety after the Question Hour.

The new Maharashtra Animal Preservation (Amendment) Act, banning slaughter of bulls and bullocks, was enforced by the BJP-led state government on March 4.

Under the law, anyone found selling beef or possessing it can be jailed for upto five years and fined Rs 10,000.