Tamil Nadu government challenges cow slaughter ban in Supreme Court

The Tamil Nadu government, led by Chief Minister Thalapathy Vijay, has filed an appeal in India's Supreme Court challenging the Madras High Court's complete ban on cow slaughter in the state.

According to Indian media outlet India Today, the High Court had imposed an immediate ban on the slaughter of cows and calves across the state on May 25, following a public interest litigation hearing that sought to stop public animal sacrifices during Eid-ul-Azha.

The bench of Justice G R Swaminathan and Justice V Lakshminarayanan ordered the implementation of a 1976 government notification, directing administrative officials and police to take necessary measures to increase the cow population and improve the rural economy.

The Tamil Nadu government has opposed the High Court's directive, arguing that it is not in line with the state's existing laws on cow slaughter and exceeds the court's authority.

In its special leave petition filed with the Supreme Court, the state government said the High Court's order is contrary to the Tamil Nadu Animal Preservation Act, 1958, which clearly states that cows or calves over 10 years of age that have lost their working or reproductive capacity may be slaughtered with the permission of the concerned authority.

The petition also argued that the High Court effectively encroached upon the powers of the state legislature by imposing a total ban on cow slaughter, ignoring the existing legal framework. The government said the High Court overstepped its constitutional jurisdiction in this matter.