Congress ready to join hands with LDF to fight beef ban: MM Hassan

KPCC president said the rule will disrupt the federal structure of the country Opposition states the Centre is trying to overthrow state government's powers The UDF has also asked Chief Minister to call for a special meeting to discuss on beef ban

Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president M M Hassan has said that the party, which is on the Opposition side in the state, is ready to join hands with the ruling Left Front to fight the recent ban on cattle slaughter. 

Hassan said the new law would disrupt the federal structure of the country. "We have our difference of opinion with state government on various issues. But the recent law against cattle slaughter must be opposed, and we have no issues joining hands with the LDF to fight it," he said.

The KPCC president also met Kerala Governor P Sathasivam and handed over a memorandum against the move of the Centre. The Opposition states that the Centre is trying to overthrow the powers of state government. 

The UDF has also asked Chief Minister to call for a special meeting to discuss the matter. 

The gazette notification issued by Ministry of Environment under Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Markets) Rules - 2017, restricting cattle slaughter created a ruckus in the state.

Beef fests were organised in different parts to protest the rule, and the government moved High Court saying that Centre's move aims to 'usurp' the legislative powers of the state.

However, the court said the new rule neither deprives people of their right to eat beef nor violates the Constitution. The court also clarifies that the rule does not stop any one from selling or slaughtering cattle outside the animal market.