GUWAHATI: Sivsagar MLA and president of the Raijor Dal Akhil Gogoi, on Monday led a protest against the new Assam Cow Preservation Act, 2021 in Dhemaji.
Several hundred people took part in the protest organized by the Raijor Dal and demanded the immediate repeal of the Act. The protesters shouted slogans against the Act and alleged that the Act would cause a huge loss to the indigenous farmers of the state.
Speaking to the media MLA Gogoi warned that the Raijor Dal organize a state-wide protest if the Assam government does not repeal the Cattle Preservation Act.
"This new Cow Preservation Act would cause a huge loss to the poor and indigenous farmers of the state. We know that our farmers rear cows for financial support. Many a time farmers sell a cow to bear expenditure related to their children's study or similar things," he added.
The independent MLA also said that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has badly hit the economic front of many people in the state.
"COVID-19 has weakened the economic state of our people. They are now struggling with the economic crisis. In such a situation, instead of extending financial help to the poor people, the government brought this Act only to please the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangha (RSS). We will continue to protest against this Act. We will organize protests at Sadiya, Majuli, and other places in the state." he further said.
The MLA also warned Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma that if the Act is not repealed the Raijor Dal would organize a protest march with cows to Dispur.
"We will hand over our cows to the Chief Minister if this Act is not abrogated before rules are made to it," he said.
The Assam Cattle Preservation Act, 2021, seeking to regulate the slaughter, consumption, and transportation of cattle, was passed in the Assembly on Friday.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had tabled the Bill in the House on July 12.
"The new legislation, replacing a similar Act of 1950, aims at forbidding the sale and purchase of beef in places other than those permitted by the competent authorities," he said.
The Chief Minister had earlier pointed out that the legislation would ensure that permission to sell beef is not granted in areas predominantly inhabited by Hindu, Jain, Sikh and other non-beef-eating communities or within a 5 km radius of a temple, satra (Vaishnav monastery) and any other religious institutions as may be prescribed by the authorities.
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