PTI, NEW DELHI: A contentious bill to ban cow slaughter and ensure stabilisation of the population of the Indian breed of bovines was today withdrawn by BJP member Subramanian Swamy in the Rajya Sabha, after the government urged him to do so. While withdrawing his Cow Protection Bill 2017 during the private members’ business, Swamy said he would like the government to put a voluntary cess to ensure that the cows are looked after they cease to give milk.
During a 2-hour discussion on the bill, the Upper House witnessed heated exchanges when members of the Opposition objected to Railway Minister Piyush Goyal standing up and saying that such an important issue was being “made fun of”, after Samajwadi Party member Javed Ali Khan spoke on it. Khan said cow should be immediately declared the national animal and provisions made whereby the government is held responsible for rearing and nourishment of cows. He also said India must end its diplomatic ties with countries which trade in meat.
Intervening in the debate, Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh said over the past 3.5 years, the government has been working on various schemes related to cow welfare. “We have been taking steps for the protection and promotion of the cow. I want to assure Swamy that we are working in the same direction. With these words I request you to withdraw the bill,” the Minister said. In response, Swamy said “I wanted a law to come, but want the government to seriously consider putting a voluntary cess for the purpose of ensuring that cows are looked after they cease to give milk.”
