Team Herald
PANJIM: The High Court of Bombay at Goa on Wednesday issued notices to the Union and State governments in a writ petition filed by the Quraishi Meat Traders Association (QMTA) over amendments to ‘Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act’.
The matter came up for hearing on Wednesday before the division bench of the High Court. While issuing notices to both the governments, the court has fixed the next hearing on June 27.
QMTA in its writ stated that rules notified on May 23, 2017 – the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulations of Livestock Markets) Rules, 2017 – are in direct conflict and in violation of the Constitution of India which guarantees freedom to practice trade of meat, including beef.
QMTA has submitted to the court that as per the Constitution, markets and fairs are a State subject and therefore the notification controlling animal markets is in violation of the Constitution. It is further stated that the livelihood of those dependent on the beef trade will be directly affected by the implementation of the rules.
Pointing out that Eid-ul-Adha is an important religious celebrations in Islam, the petitioners have pleaded that the notification infringes upon the freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion.
In its writ petition, QMTA has pleaded with the High Court to quash the notification, and sought interim relief in the nature of a stay on the implementation of the notification until final disposal of the petition.
