Banners warn of ‘property seizure’ for cattle slaughter in Karnataka

Banners put up by the district administration and the Hassan City Corporation in certain localities of Hassan city in Karnataka, ahead of Bakrid, have sparked a controversy. Following a backlash, they were removed later in the day.

The banners, which appealed to residents not to slaughter cattle as part of festival offerings, contained a warning that violation of the law would result in the ‘permanent seizure of all properties’, including house and land, a claim that left many puzzled and prompted sharp criticism.

The Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Act, 2020, prohibits the slaughter of cattle, including cows, calves, and bulls of all ages. Violations attract imprisonment of three to seven years, and a fine of up to ₹ 10 lakh. Crucially, the law makes no provision for the seizure of property, making the claim in the banner legally questionable.

Advocate Anshad Palya, State convener of the Federation of Muslim Organisations, demanded to know under which law the State was empowered to seize a person’s property on the charge of cattle slaughter. “The government machinery is using such banners to threaten the community,” he said, while also appealing to members of his community to refrain from slaughtering cattle during Bakrid.

Mr. Palya further pointed out that the banners had been placed specifically in localities with a predominantly Muslim population. He argued that both the placement and the language used made it evident that a particular community was being targeted. “Muslims are only a portion of the population that includes beef in their food culture. Why is one community being singled out?”

When contacted, Hassan City Corporation Commissioner R. Krishnamurthy told The Hindu that the banners had been removed. However, he declined to explain why the banners had been put up in the first place, or under which provision of the law was the seizure of property cited as a penalty.