May 23 notification not “to influence food habits, or affect slaughtering business”, the Union Environment Minister says.
The government on Sunday said it was open to suggestions from various groups on the May 23 cattle slaughter notification and was not viewing it as a prestige issue.
Speaking to reporters here, Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan said the intention behind the notification was not to harm any particular group, influence food habits or affect the slaughter business.
“Suggestions that have been submitted will be reviewed. It is not a prestige issue for the government,” the Minister told the media on the sidelines of a function to mark World Environment Day.
Mr Vardhan was asked if these representations were being reviewed and if the government was open to considering alternative views.
The row over cattle trade curbs sparked a nationwide controversy with protests in several States, including Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee described the ban as unconstitutional and said her government would not accept it.
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