M A I N   N E W S

BJP takes DMK to task on cow slaughter Bill
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 22
Taking exception to the DMK’s stand on cow slaughter ban, the BJP today sought to remind its key ally that its representatives were in the government and that its decision should be acceptable to it.

“The decision on the Bill on banning cow slaughter was taken by the Cabinet, in which the DMK is also represented,” BJP spokesperson V K Malhotra said here.

Asked how the BJP viewed the DMK’s opposition of the government on several issues, including the Common Civil Code and Cow Protection Act, Mr Malhotra said these parties were with the BJP as long as they accepted the national agenda for governance (NAG).

Mr Malhotra asserted that a common civil code was in the national interest and said it was talking to those allies who had reservations about the code.

“If the religious groups in India could accept a common criminal law why they could not accept a common civil code?” he asked and added that the BJP would strive for a consensus on the issue.

He agreed with retiring Rajya Sabha member Shabana Azmi that there was also a need to amend the laws pertaining to the Hindu Marriage Act besides laws governing Muslims. Mr Malhotra said the mere fact that the Hindu community wanted the adoption of common code showed that common code was acceptable to all citizens.