Ruling LDF and opposition UDF in Kerala joined hands in the assembly on Thursday to resist the Centre’s ban on sale of cattle for slaughter in the animal market and termed it as “fascist” move.
During the one-day session, called exclusively to discuss the cattle ban notification, members of ruling CPI(M)-led LDF and Congress-headed UDF opposition held that it was not only an “intrusion” into state’s rights, but also an “infringement” on the rights of people on the choice of their food habits.
The House also passed a resolution asking the Centre to withdraw the notification, which saw the lone BJP MLA, O Rajagopal, dissenting.
Members from both sides also attacked the NDA government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and termed the ban as a “fascist” move.
Attack on CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury at A K G Centre in New Delhi on Wednesday also had its echo in the assembly here with the party members alleging that Sangh Parivar was trying to “silence” political rivals through “muscle power”.
The members of both the Fronts said the ban on sale of cattle for slaughter in the animal market was not only communal, but also essentially anti-working class and anti-farmer.
It thus has to be withdrawn, they said.
They also alleged that the move was an attempt at corporatisation of the meat-trading sector, which was now an additional source of income for small and medium farmers.
Rajagopal said the coming together of LDF and UDF in the assembly was a sign of a “grand alliance” forming at the national level to take on BJP.
He said the House has been “misused” for political purposes as the Centre has already made it clear that it was ready to make changes in the notification after getting suggestions from states.
Moving the resolution Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan slammed the the Centre, saying the ban was to implement the political agenda of Sangh Parivar.
