Farmers are nothing but slaves: BJP MLC slams Maharashtra cow slaughter law
A BJP MLC, Sadabhau Khot, has publicly criticised Maharashtra's cow slaughter ban, arguing it harms farmers by preventing them from selling unproductive cattle.
Mumbai: A politically sensitive debate has erupted in Maharashtra, as a prominent leader from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has publicly denounced the state's stringent cow slaughter ban, asserting it directly harms the very farmers it purports to protect.
Sadabhau Khot, a BJP Member of Legislative Council (MLC), declared on Sunday that the Maharashtra Animal Preservation (Amendment) Act, 2015, which prohibits the slaughter of cows, bulls, and bullocks, is "against farmers."
"For farmers, dairy is a secondary source of income and contributes to their financial ecosystem. Earlier, farmers used to sell unproductive cows and bulls, but now, with this act, farmers can’t do so as there are no buyers,” Khot was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.
Khot's unexpected criticism from within the BJP's ranks comes amid ongoing tensions in the state regarding the ban and the activities of "gau-rakshak" (cow protector) groups. His comments also follow a recent meeting by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar with top police officers, which led to a police circular clarifying that only law enforcement agencies are authorised to take action against illegal cattle transport, a move aimed at curbing vigilante actions.
He complained that this ban deprives farmers of crucial supplementary income and burdens them with the responsibility of feeding unproductive cattle, which adds significant financial stress.
Khot further elaborated on the impact on the dairy industry, stating, "For increasing milk production, farmers used to import cows from other states like Rajasthan and Gujarat. They also used to sell or import bulls for milk production."
However, he alleged that widespread attacks and raids by self-proclaimed gau-rakshak groups have made cattle transport difficult, severely affecting the economics of milk production. Khot went as far as to accuse many such groups of transforming into "extortionists."
The issue of the cow slaughter ban and the conduct of cow protectors has become a contentious point in Maharashtra. During the recent monsoon session of the state legislature, the ruling Mahayuti government, led by the BJP, cited complaints of beef smuggling and vowed to strengthen the existing law by imposing enhanced punishments for repeat offenders.
In July, the Qureishi community, deeply involved in the cattle trade, staged protests against alleged harassment by police and self-proclaimed gau rakshaks, accusing them not only of seizing vehicles but also of attacking individuals involved in transporting cattle. It was following these protests that Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar convened the meeting with top police officials, resulting in the aforementioned circular that emphasised the lack of authority for private individuals to inspect transport vehicles.
Taking a practical stance, Khot suggested, "This cow slaughter ban act should be limited to Indian breeds of cows. There is no point in including hybrid-jersey cows in it." He pointed out that approximately 90% of cows owned by farmers are Jersey-hybrid breeds, with only about 10% being indigenous Indian breeds. He also demanded that Gaushalas (cow shelters) should be mandated to purchase cows from farmers at market price, rather than accepting them free of cost.
Emphasising his farming background and deep connection to the agricultural community, Khot stated he "could no longer keep quiet." Having lived among farmers, he declared he could not ignore their grief and financial distress caused by the current cow slaughter laws. In a poignant critique, he asserted, "For the government, farmers are nothing but slaves and slaves have no right to raise their voice."