Life imprisonment for cow slaughter in Gujarat
In the current law, the quantum of punishment for cow slaughter was maximum jail term of seven years.
The new law also doubles penalty for the offence form Rs. 50,000.
The amended legislation comes at a time when protection of cows has become a prominent issue particularly in the BJP-ruled state, often leading to untoward incidents, and when the drive against illegal slaughter houses in Uttar Pradesh is being seen by a vast number of beef-eating people as a precursor to implementation of the Hindutva agenda.
Gujarat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home state that has remained a BJP stronghold for many years, goes to state Assembly elections later this year.
The amendment to the Gujarat Animal Preservation Act of 1954, effected on the last day of the session, also stipulates 10 years imprisonment for transporting of cows will be 10 years in jail.
Chief Minister Vijay Rupani had declared earlier this month that the BJP is committed to protect "Gau (cow), Ganga and Gita".
The slaughter and transporting of the cow and its progeny was banned in Gujarat in 2011, when Modi was the Chief Minister.
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