PIL over cow slaughter ban; 'Dung is useful', says K'taka govt before HC

Bengaluru: Responding to a PIL challenging Karnataka’s anti-cow slaughter law, BS Yediyurappa-led state government told the High Court that cow dung is useful.

“A bull on average gives 15-20 kg of dung per day, one kg of dung produces 40 litres of biogas,” the government told HC. “Their urine can be utilized in compost pits for producing other by-products,” it added.

The government said that energy sources like biogas plants, dung is of use and older cattle that do not breed continue to give dung and cannot be considered economically unproductive.

The government in its reply further said that bulls and bullocks are not only useful for dairy farming but also for draught agricultural purposes and breeding.

The Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Bill 2020 was passed in the Legislative Council in February following a voice vote.

The public interest litigation was filed by Mohammed Arif Jameel, a social worker. He had questioned the constitutional validity of the bill.