Justice G.R.Swaminathan

Chennai, May 27
In a significant order ahead of Bakrid celebrations, the Madras High Court on Wednesday directed the Tamil Nadu government to immediately enforce a statewide ban on cow and calf slaughter by strictly implementing a Government Order issued in 1976.

A summer vacation Bench comprising Justices G.R. Swaminathan and V. Lakshminarayanan instructed the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police/Head of Police Force (DGP/HoPF) to ensure that no cow or calf is slaughtered anywhere in the State, either during Bakrid on Thursday or on any other day.

The court directed the State government to issue immediate instructions to district administrations and police authorities across Tamil Nadu to prevent any violation of the order. The Bench also asked the High Court Registry to list the matter again on Friday for the government to submit a compliance report.

The directions came while allowing a public interest litigation petition filed by K. Surya Prasanth, youth wing secretary of the Indu Makkal Katchi. The petitioner alleged that temporary sheds had been set up in several parts of Coimbatore for cow slaughter during Bakrid.

In his detailed order, Justice Swaminathan referred to Article 48 of the Constitution, which calls upon the State to prohibit the slaughter of cows, calves and other milch and draught cattle in the interest of agriculture and rural economy.

The court observed that cow protection has deep cultural and historical significance in India and cited Mahatma Gandhi’s views on the issue. Referring to previous Supreme Court judgments, the Bench noted that cow sacrifice is not considered an essential religious practice in Islam and that many Muslims offer other animals during Bakrid.

The Bench further clarified that under the Tamil Nadu Urban Local Bodies Rules, 2023, goats and sheep can only be slaughtered in licensed slaughterhouses and not in temporary or unauthorised facilities.