The Madras High Court has directed the Tamil Nadu government to enforce a ban on cow slaughter across the state based on a Government Order from 1976. The court emphasized that this order is legally binding and must be strictly adhered to. Justices G.R. Swaminathan and V. Lakshminarayanan instructed top officials to ensure that no cows or calves are slaughtered in Tamil Nadu, including during Bakrid celebrations.
The court mandated the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police to issue immediate instructions to all district administrations and police authorities to prevent any violations of the ban. Additionally, the High Court Registry has been directed to review the matter on Friday for the state government to provide a compliance report. The directive came in response to a public interest litigation petition filed by K. Surya Prasanth, a member of the Indu Makkal Katchi youth wing.
Justice Swaminathan’s order referenced Article 48 of the Constitution, which calls for the prohibition of cow slaughter to protect agriculture and the rural economy. The court highlighted the cultural and historical significance of cow protection in India, noting Mahatma Gandhi’s advocacy on the issue. It also mentioned that sacrificing cows during Bakrid is not a mandatory religious practice in Islam, with many Muslims opting for other animals instead.
The court further pointed out that licensed slaughterhouses are the only permissible venues for slaughtering animals like goats and sheep under the Tamil Nadu Urban Local Bodies Rules, 2023. It stressed that the ban on cow slaughter, as per the Government Order, is legally valid and must be implemented effectively to uphold the law.
