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The Vijay-led Tamil Nadu government has approached the Supreme Court challenging a Madras High Court order that imposed a blanket ban on the slaughter of cows and calves in the state, a move that has sparked a political controversy.
In its appeal, the TVK government argued that the High Court’s May 27 ruling is inconsistent with the provisions of the Tamil Nadu Animal Preservation Act, 1958. According to the state, the Act permits the slaughter of cows above 10 years of age if they are certified as unfit for work and breeding, whereas the High Court’s order effectively imposes a complete prohibition beyond what the law provides.
The government has also contended that the original plea before the High Court was limited to preventing animal slaughter
in public places during Bakrid in Coimbatore. However, instead of restricting its directions to that issue, the court extended the scope of its order by directing a statewide ban on cow slaughter, despite no such relief being sought in the petition.
In its judgment, the Division Bench directed the State to “ensure that no cow or calf is slaughtered on the eve of Bakrid or on any other day”.
The order has implications beyond the Bakrid festival. Animal sacrifice during Bakrid is traditionally carried out by Muslims at private premises and religious congregations in accordance with local regulations. Similarly, several Hindu temples in Tamil Nadu conduct ritual animal sacrifices during annual festivals.
Community leaders have argued that limiting such practices to licensed slaughterhouses is impractical because many of these facilities do not have the capacity to accommodate the increased demand during festivals.
The opposition accused the TVK government of taking too long to challenge the High Court’s ruling.
“Using slaughterhouses for religious occasions won’t work, as they are already running short of space, and this practice of slaughter at these congregations is legally permitted as a religious tradition. Not just Muslims, now even Hindus can’t offer any sacrifices at temples. Why change this?” DMK spokesperson Dr Syed Hafeezullah told NDTV.
“No one slaughters milking cows, as it’s economically bad, and no one kills calves. This order bans the slaughter of bulls, oxen and buffalo too,” he added.
Describing the judgement as “painful”, MMK president MH Jawahirullah said it amounted to a serious interference with religious practices. He argued that the order violates Article 25 of the Constitution, which guarantees every citizen the freedom to profess and practise religion.
Defending its stand before the Supreme Court, the Tamil Nadu government maintained that the Tamil Nadu Animal Preservation Act and other laws governing slaughterhouses already prescribe where and under what conditions animals may be slaughtered, without imposing a complete ban.
It argued that the High Court’s ruling effectively replaces the existing statutory framework with a blanket prohibition, amounting to judicial legislation.
Responding to criticism over the delay in moving the Supreme Court, a TVK source said, “We needed time to consult legal experts.”
