Guwahati: The Tamil Nadu government, led by Chief Minister Vijay, has approached the Supreme Court challenging a Madras High Court order that prohibits the slaughter of cows and calves across the state. The move has intensified political debate, with opposition parties accusing the government of acting too late while the ruling side maintains that it required time to prepare its legal challenge.
In its appeal, the state has argued that the High Court’s May 27 ruling exceeds the scope of the Tamil Nadu Animal Preservation Act, 1958. According to the government, the Act permits the slaughter of cows above 10 years of age if they are certified as permanently unfit for work or breeding. By imposing a blanket ban, the court, the state contends, has effectively rewritten the law rather than interpreting it.
The government has also questioned the manner in which the High Court disposed of the case. It pointed out that the original petition was limited to preventing animal slaughter in public places during Bakrid celebrations in Coimbatore. However, the court’s final order extended far beyond that request by directing authorities to prohibit the slaughter of cows and calves throughout Tamil Nadu on Bakrid as well as on any other day.
The Division Bench had instructed the state administration to ensure that no cow or calf is slaughtered anywhere in Tamil Nadu, making the prohibition applicable throughout the year instead of restricting it to the festival in question.
The legal challenge has broader implications for religious practices in the state. During Bakrid, Muslims traditionally perform animal sacrifice in accordance with established regulations, while several Hindu temples in Tamil Nadu also conduct ritual animal sacrifices during annual festivals. Community representatives argue that shifting all such activities to licensed slaughterhouses is impractical because existing facilities lack the capacity to handle the increased demand during festive periods.
Criticising the government’s delayed response, DMK spokesperson Dr. Syed Hafeezullah said the order has created unnecessary complications for religious communities. He argued that slaughterhouses are already operating at full capacity and cannot accommodate festival-related sacrifices. He further claimed that the ruling affects not only Muslims but also Hindus who observe traditional animal sacrifice rituals in temples.
Hafeezullah also maintained that the order has wider consequences than commonly understood. He asserted that the prohibition extends beyond cows and calves to include bulls, oxen and buffaloes, while noting that milking cows and young calves are generally not slaughtered due to both legal restrictions and economic considerations.
MMK president M.H. Jawahirullah described the High Court’s decision as an infringement on religious freedom. He argued that the order interferes with constitutionally protected rights under Article 25, which guarantees citizens the freedom to profess, practise and propagate their religion.
Defending its position before the Supreme Court, the Tamil Nadu government has maintained that the state already has a comprehensive legal framework regulating animal slaughter through the Animal Preservation Act and rules governing licensed slaughterhouses. It argued that the High Court’s directive effectively substitutes the existing statutory scheme with a complete prohibition that was never enacted by the legislature.
Responding to criticism over the timing of the appeal, sources in the Chief Minister’s office said the government took the necessary time to consult legal experts before filing its petition, adding that a thorough legal review was essential before approaching the apex court.