BJP workers shouted slogans and raised placards while demanding that the bill which had been referred to President Pratibha Patil by the governor for approval, be granted assent.
Seeking to step up pressure on the Centre, the ruling BJP in Karnataka today staged a dharna to demand approval of the the anti-cow slaughter bill passed by state legislature and dubbed the delay over the issue as part of the Congress' vote bank politics.
BJP workers shouted slogans and raised placards while demanding that the bill which had been referred to President Pratibha Patil by the governor for approval, be granted assent.
Senior BJP leader M Venkaiah Naidu said the ban on cow slaughter in various states existed, but a similar legislation by the Karnataka government was being held up.
"What kind of democracy is this?" he asked when a bill passed by the people's elected representative was being delayed by the nominated head of the state.
"The Congress is guided by vote bank politics. They have no concern for people's sentiments," he alleged.
Over the years, the Congress has been systematically weakening the federal structure of the country. It shows step motherly attitude towards the non-Congress states, he charged.
The Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Bill is in keeping with the directive principles of the Constitution and aims at protecting the bovine population which is the wealth of the nation. He also pointed out that the ban existed in states like Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhatisgarh and Jammu and Kashmir and also in countries like Cuba and Iran.
In a memorandum addressed to governor HR Bhardwaj, BJP state unit president KS Eswarappa, pointed out that the Constitution mandated every state to take steps to preserve and improve breeding of cows and prevent their slaughter.
He said Supreme Court had upheld the provisions contained in the enactments passed by eight state governments.
The memorandum called for expediting the matter and to give immediate approval to the bill.
Various leaders of the BJP also criticised the delay over approval of the bill and called for immediate action.
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