Karnataka govt passes Prevention of Cow Slaughter Bill, holds puja for cows

The bill provides  a punishment between three and seven years jail and (or) a fine up to ₹ 5 lakh for the guilty.

Earlier in the day after the bill was tabled, cows were brought into the Vidhana Soudha, or Secretariat, and Animal Husbandry Minister Prabhu Chavan performed a puja for them.

"This is the blessings of the six crore people of Karnataka (and) of senior leaders. I thank the Chief Minister and the leaders for giving me this opportunity. This is the first time that the cow puja has been done here," Chavan told NDTV channel.

Calling the bill "much-awaited", Karnataka BJP tweeted: "Our government, under Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa, is on its way to honour yet another of its promise."

However, the opposition Congress slammed the government for bypassing what it said were agreements on the schedule of the House.

"It was decided at the Business Affairs Committee meeting that the bills which have been notified as ordinances would be taken on priority. Today, to our surprise, the minister who is in charge of animal husbandry said he is introducing the Prevention of Slaughter and Protection of Animals Bill. This was not discussed at all," said former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.