Gujarat Assembly Discloses Extensive Cow Meat Seizures and Trafficking Crackdown
In a detailed response to queries raised in the Gujarat assembly on Wednesday, the state government revealed significant figures related to cow protection efforts. According to the official data presented, authorities seized a staggering 22,046.45 kilograms of cow meat and confiscated 436 live cows across the state in the year 2025. This disclosure came during a focused discussion on bovine welfare and protection measures initiated by the legislative body.
Comparative Data Shows Fluctuating Seizure Patterns
The government further provided comparative statistics from the previous year, highlighting that in 2024, law enforcement agencies seized 21,589.18 kilograms of cow meat and took possession of 826 cows. This data indicates a slight increase in meat seizures year-over-year, while the number of cows seized saw a notable decrease. The figures underscore the ongoing challenges and enforcement actions in curbing illegal activities related to cattle.
Congress MLAs Probe Government Actions and Allegations
The discussion was prompted by Congress MLAs who sought clarity on the steps taken by the ruling government to safeguard cows. Congress legislator Jignesh Mevani posed a particularly pointed question, inquiring whether the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had received any election funding from cow meat exporters. In response, the assembly ruled this query as outside the permissible scope of the current discussion, redirecting focus to legislative and enforcement matters.
Unanimous Legislative Support for Cow Protection Bill
Assembly Speaker Shankar Chaudhary emphasized that all members of the legislative assembly were in unanimous agreement regarding the necessity of protecting cows and their progeny. He noted that the assembly had recently passed a bill specifically aimed at enhancing cow protection, reinforcing the state's commitment to this priority issue. The legislative move is part of broader efforts to strengthen legal frameworks against cattle-related offenses.
Stringent Measures and Legal Actions Against Traffickers
Minister of State for Law and Justice, Kaushik Vekariya, outlined the government's aggressive stance against cattle trafficking. He confirmed that strict legal actions are being implemented against those accused of such crimes, including the demolition of properties belonging to offenders. Vekariya disclosed that over the past two years, a total of 629 cases of cattle trafficking have been registered statewide, resulting in the arrest of 1,810 individuals. These measures highlight the administration's zero-tolerance policy towards illegal cattle trade and its dedication to upholding cow protection laws.
