'Stop Dictating What Indians Eat': Pa Ranjith Urges TN Govt to Challenge Madras HC’s Confusing Cow Slaughter Order

Chennai – The Neelam Cultural Centre, founded by film director Pa. Ranjith, has strongly criticised a recent order of the Madras High Court that restricts cow slaughter during Bakrid, calling it “highly contradictory” and an infringement on the dietary freedom and religious beliefs of Indian citizens.

The court’s order, delivered by a bench of Justices G.R. Swaminathan and V. Lakshminarayanan, came in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Surya Prasad, a member of Hindu Munnani. The PIL sought only to prevent the slaughter of cows in public places within the Coimbatore Corporation limits during Bakrid. No ban was sought on slaughter in licensed slaughterhouses, nor any statewide prohibition across Tamil Nadu.

However, the Neelam Cultural Centre noted that while one part of the verdict directed that cows be slaughtered only in recognised slaughterhouses with appropriate certificates under the Tamil Nadu Animals Preservation Act, 1958, and the Tamil Nadu Urban Local Bodies Act, 1998, the concluding part of the same judgment issued an outright ban: “Cows shall not be slaughtered on Bakrid or on any other day.”

In a statement issued today, Pa. Ranjith said: “Such an order not only interferes with the religious beliefs of minority communities but also infringes upon the dietary rights of the majority population. The PIL did not challenge the statutory provisions that permit cattle slaughter for food in recognised slaughterhouses. No inquiry was made into whether those specific provisions violate the Constitution.”

The Centre expressed deep concern that the court relied on an undated government order from 50 years ago and the Directive Principles of State Policy, without even affording the opposing counsel an opportunity to present arguments. It also warned that police authorities might misinterpret the order and impose a total ban on beef sale.

“Courts should not arbitrarily dictate the dietary habits of the public,” the statement added.

The Neelam Cultural Centre has urged the Government of Tamil Nadu to immediately file a petition seeking clarification of the order. It further stated that if the court declines to accept the clarification, the government must proceed to file an appeal. At the same time, the Centre emphasised that it is the government’s duty to safeguard both the dietary rights of the people and the religious beliefs of minority communities.