Again, there is talk that the Centre is moving toward a total banning
of cow slaughter. This attempt to win the votes of the majority will
do virtually nothing to actually stop slaughter or to improve the plight
of India’s suffering cows or other animals if there is to be no
further action by the government.
Cow slaughter is already banned in all but a few states, yet it continues
rampant and unabated in illegal, unlicensed abattoirs all throughout
the country, including in the states where it is banned. In fact, according
to one estimate, there are approximately 32,000 unlicensed abattoirs
in operation in India today. Moreover, countless cows are reportedly
transported in gruesome conditions and smuggled across the West Bengal
border into Bangladesh to be killed. A total ban on cow slaughter will
not have any real effect unless unlicensed abattoirs are also closed
and transport is monitored. As it stands now, most police and government
officials turn a blind eye to the thriving illegal slaughter trade.
The severe overcrowding of animals is also illegal, but cows and other
animals are goaded onto lorries and taken to slaughter in such high
numbers that they suffocate, their bones break and many die en route.
It is also illegal to injure animals, yet traders routinely beat them
on the way to slaughter, smear chilli seeds or tobacco into their eyes
and break their tails.
You can help! Send a letter to the editor of your local newspaper
telling him or her that the banning of cow slaughter is not enough!
Also, write to the government to push for PETA’s demands:
- The penalty for cruelty to animals is weak and outdated. In order
to ensure that humane animal transport and slaughter standards are
followed, this penalty must be significantly increased by the central
government. The Council for Leather Exports (CLE), many government
officials and even major meat industry officials are in favour of
making the penalty more substantial because of PETA’s efforts.
- Laws pertaining to transport and slaughter are also in need of improvement.
PETA will develop a set of ‘best practices’ for the transport,
handling and slaughter of animals with the assistance of internationally
renowned experts in animal welfare and encourages the government to
update laws based on what it develops.
- The government must also fully support and help expand animal welfare
reform initiatives that have now been started by the CLE so that widespread
improvement can be made in the manner in which animals are transported
and slaughtered in India.
- PETA applauds Prime Minister Vajpayee for sending a directive to
state governments to enforce animal protection laws; however, this
directive has not been adequately followed. The central government
must compel state governments and police officials throughout the
country to crack down on the senseless abuse of animals in transport,
handling and slaughter and permanently close down unlicensed abattoirs.
Please write to the following:
The Honourable Shri T.R. Baalu
Union Cabinet Minister
Government of India
Ministry of Environment & Forests
Paryavaran Bhavan, CGO Complex
Lodhi Road, New Delhi 110003
INDIA
Fax: +91-11-436-2222
E-Mail: mef@envfor.delhi.nic.in
His Excellency Atal Behari Vajpayee
Prime Minister of India
152 South Block
New Delhi 110 001
INDIA
Fax: +91-11-301-6857
E-Mail: pmosb@pmo.nic.in
Take the three humane promises — no meat, no milk, no animal products — to prevent animal suffering, to safeguard your health, to protect the environment, and to help alleviate world hunger. Encourage others to do so as well by writing a letter to the editor of your local newspapers.
Write to PETA for more ways to get involved.
