NC moves anti-Beef Ban Bill in Assembly

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Sept 17: In light of the order by the High Court seeking strict implementation of the ban on cow slaughter and sale and consumption of beef in the State, National Conference has moved a bill in the Legislative Assembly for the forthcoming session seeking omission of Sections 298-A, 298-B, 298-C and 298-D of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC).
Senior party leaders and Legislators including NC General Secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar, Mohammad Akbar Lone and Mian Altaf Ahmed submitted the bill in the Assembly Secretariat.
NC General Secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar said the existing law banning sale of beef was in complete violation of the fundamental rights guaranteed to the citizens under the Constitution. “The State can neither force any person to follow a particular line nor can Government interfere in anybody’s religion. We have sought amendment in the law for revoking the ban,” Sagar said.
“We have already asked the PDP-BJP Government to bring in an ordinance ahead of Eid-ul-Azha to amend the relevant sections of the RPC so that people are not arrested and harassed while performing the ritual Eid sacrifices in the State. But it has become very evident that PDP has surrendered its voice for the lure of remaining in power. National Conference is very serious about this issue and this is very important to the people of this State. We will bring in the bill in the Legislative Assembly”, the NC General Secretary added.