Assam Cattle Preservation Bill: Himanta Biswa says maintaining communal harmony is not the job of only Hindus

GUWAHATI: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, during his reply to the questions of the opposition MLAs on the Cattle Preservation Bill has said that maintain communal harmony is not only the responsibility of the Hindus and that the Muslims must reciprocate.

The Assam Cattle Preservation Bill 2021 was passed in the Assam Assembly on Friday amidst slogans of ‘Jai Sri Ram’ shouted by BJP Legislators and opposition walking out of the house.

Himanta Biswa Sarma also slammed the opposition leaders for looking at the economic aspect of the regulated transport, slaughter, and eating of beef.

ALSO READ: BREAKING: Assam Assembly Passes Assam Cattle Preservation Bill, 2021

Referring to the Directive Principles of State Police in Article 48 of the Constitution of India, he said that in case of conflict between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principle of State Policy, as per Supreme Court Ruling, the latter prevails.

“The fundamental rights of Indian Constitution do not tell about the value-based politics, but only emphasize on individual rights. But as a nation, India gives more importance to value, tradition, and civilization than fundamental rights.

The Supreme Court of India in its judgment has also said that in case of a conflict between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principle of State Policy, the latter will prevail.

He also said that Indian civilization is much older than Islam, Christianity, and modern Hinduism and that since the time of Rig Veda, people have embraced diversity.

Taking a jibe at the opposition for referring to the possible economic loss if the Cattle Preservation Bill came into effect, the Chief Minister said, “Yesterday we seized two kgs of Heroine.

Had we let it be trafficked into the state, people would have become rich and it would have contributed to the economy. But can we do it? No, because our society is based on certain principles.”

ALSO READ: Opposition’s walks out indirectly helps Assam Assembly pass Cattle Bill without amendments

Sarma, in his speech also quoted Mahanta Gandhi and said that Gandhiji was always against the slaughter of cows.

“The Congress which was born as a product of the Indian Independence struggle which Mahatma Gandhi fought, when says that cattle bill will hamper our economy, the answer should not come from me as the answer has already been given by Gandhiji”.

Notably, referring to the effect of the bill on animal husbandry, the opposition had claimed that the Cattle preservation Bill can hamper Rs, 20,000 crores of business if came into being.

“There is no relation between cow slaughter and animal husbandry. Cow slaughter is an injustice to the human race. Every killing of a cow only proves how ungrateful people are. The opposition is saying that because of power tiller and tractor, cows have no importance and hence there is no harm in killing them. I want to ask if tomorrow humans become irrelevant because of robots, will they be okay to get slaughtered.” He asks.

He also said the veteran leaders of the Congress party had much tried to bring the Assam Cattle Preservation Bill.

“In 1951, Gopinath Bordoloi piloted the Cow Protection Bill. Gujarat also tabled in 1954. The elder leaders thought about the tradition and culture since long ago. This was the glory of the Assam Congress.

He said that Mughal rulers like Babur also advised against the slaughter of cows in India.

“The Constituent Assembly once quoted Babur telling Humayun “If you want to win the hearts of the people of Hindustan, then refrain from cow slaughter, said the Chief Minister.

He also claimed that when people will give up cow slaughter, communal harmony will prevail.

“If there is a slight conflict between the Hindus and Muslims in Assam, the main reason is Hindus are offended with the fact that Muslims kills something that they worship?” he said.

ALSO READ: BJP Legislators Shout ‘Jai Sri Ram’ As Assam Assembly Passes Cattle Bill

He also said between 2016 to 2021, there were 14 cases of communal conflict reported from various districts of Assam and the reason behind this was the slaughter of cows in close proximity of the Hindu inhabited areas and near their places of worship.

“In 2015, three cases of communal conflict were reported from Hailakandi, Barpeta, Dhubri. In 2016, three cases were reported from Nagaon, Dhubri, and Kokrajhar.

Likewise, in 2017, South Salmara, and Cachar reported three and Bongaigaon 1. In 2021, Sonipur, Karimganj Dhubri also reported three cases of communal conflict. The main reason behind this was finding cow meet in temples” said Himanta Biswa Sarma.

All offenses under this new legislation shall be cognizable and non-bailable. Anybody found guilty shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than three years or a fine that may vary between Rs 3 lakh and Rs 5 lakh or both.

If someone convicted under the new law is found guilty of the same or a related offense the second time, the punishment will be doubled.

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