Beef Ban In Jammu And Kashmir, Repealed Through Article 370 Takedown, Must Be Re-Enacted

The State Law Commission, headed by Justice (retd) MK Hanjura, has referred to the Ranbir Penal Code provisions ranging from 298-A to 298-D which categorically prohibited the slaughter of bovine and consumption of beef. The provisions also defined the punishment to be slapped against those convicted under the law. Under Section 298-A of the now-defunct Ranbir Penal Code (RPC), a person would be sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment if found to have killed a cow, ox, bull or calf. A fine was also to be levied against him,

As per Section 298-C, the person charged with killing a buffalo would have to serve a prison term of five years, along with a fine which would be up to five times the market price of the slain animal.

“The object of incorporating these sections in the RPC was to protect religious sentiments of all the sections of society living in length and breadth of Jammu and Kashmir that comprised Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, and Buddhists,” The Wire quoted the Law Commission report, addressed to J&K chief secretary B.V.R. Subrahmanyam, as saying.