SC refuses to pass direction to prohibit slaughter of cow progeny, says it is for legislature to decide

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

Supreme Court has refused to pass directions to prohibit the slaughter of cow progeny, saying this is for the competent legislature to decide and the court cannot compel them to come out with a particular law. While disposing of an appeal, it said as far as the prayer for taking steps to save and conserve critically endangered indigenous species of livestock is concerned, it will be open for the appellant to make a representation to the state governments concerned.

A bench of justices A S Oka and Sanjay Karol passed the order while hearing an appeal against the August 2018 order of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), which had considered the common stand taken by the Centre and the states regarding the protection of indigenous cows, and said no further directions were required. The NGT had passed the order on an application seeking several directions, including taking immediate steps to save and conserve critically endangered indigenous species of livestock and to ensure that milch cattle of indigenous breeds are not slaughtered.

The top court observed that the NGT had referred to the National Livestock Policy, 2013 and also recorded that some of the states have their own anti-slaughtering laws and none of them were opposing the idea of protecting the indigenous cows. «Now, what remains is the prayer made by the appellant regarding prohibiting the slaughter of cow progeny.

We may observe that this is something which is for the competent legislature to decide. »Even in writ jurisdiction, this court cannot compel the legislature to come out with a particular legislation.

Ultimately, it is for the appellant to persuade the legislature," the bench said in its July 11 order. The apex court said after perusing the NGT order as