“Sections 298-A, 298-B, 298-C and 298-D of RPC, under the classification of offences relating to religion, violate the fundamental rights, freedom and liberty of the citizens of Jammu and Kashmir guaranteed in the Constitution”.
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Urging that ban on slaughtering bovine animals in the state be revoked, Awami Ittihaad Party president and MLA Langate Er Rasheed announced launch of signature campaign from Friday in each district head quarter in Kashmir urging MLAs to vote in favor of the bill, it submitted prior to NC.
The notice was issued by a division bench comprising justice Mohammad Yaqoub Mir and Justice Bansi Lal Bhat after hearing a writ petition filed by Afzal Qadri through his advocate Syed Faisal Qadri seeking to strike down the relevant provisions of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC) which criminalises the slaughter of bovines.
Meanwhile, on Saturday, Ravinder Raina, BJP MLA from Nowshera also presented a resolution in the state assembly demanding capital punishment for those who indulge into cow slaughter.
He said he was hopeful that the resolution would be accepted by the Speaker and later it would be tabled in the Assembly.
Since the National Conference is vociferous about repealing of Maharaja era laws, Rashid says National Conference needs to explain why it didn’t abolish section 298 A and B as three generations of Sheikh dynasty ruled the state.
A short eight-day autumn session of the Assembly will start on October 3.
“Selling beef and the court order to strictly enforce ban on slaughter and sale of beef in the state is a sensitive issue”.
Protests and clashes were witnessed in Kashmir and separatist leaders called for shutdown over beef ban, terming it “interference in religious affairs”.
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Notably, Jammu and Kashmir High Court on September 10, had ordered blanket ban on the sale of beef in J&K, the only Muslim majority state of India which led to strong reactions from different quarters of the state.
