The Tamil Nadu government has petitioned the Supreme Court to overturn a Madras High Court order that enforced a comprehensive ban on the slaughter of cows and calves across the state.
In its appeal, the state administration contends that the absolute ban directly conflicts with the Tamil Nadu Animal Preservation Act of 1958. This state law permits the slaughter of cows older than 10 years that are certified by a competent authority as being unfit for breeding or work.
The legal challenge targets a May 27 directive from the High Court. That ruling instructed the state’s Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police to ensure that no cows or calves were slaughtered anywhere in Tamil Nadu, specifically highlighting the festival of Bakrid on May 28 as well as any other day.
Conflict With State Legislation
The state government argues that the High Court’s sweeping directive overrides existing statutory provisions. Under the 1958 Act, selective slaughter remains legally permissible provided the animal meets the age threshold and a veterinary or competent authority issues the necessary clearance certificate.
Origin Of The Case
The High Court’s intervention followed a Public Interest Litigation filed by K Surya Prasanth, the general secretary of the Hindu Makkal Katchi. The original petition did not ask for a total ban; rather, it sought judicial directives to ensure that animal slaughter was confined strictly to designated municipal areas.
However, the High Court decided to institute a complete, statewide prohibition. In doing so, the court relied heavily on a 1976 executive order that had restricted cow slaughter to protect local milk production and bolster the rural economy.
