SC to hear plea against Centre's cattle trade restrictions today

The Supreme Court will today hear a plea challenging the Centre's notification prohibiting sale and purchase of cattle at animal markets for slaughter. 

The apex court had, on the 7th of this month, listed the matter for today after a petition was filed by a Hyderabad-based lawyer who termed the order as discriminatory and unconstitutional.The



petition said, the notification prevented cattle traders from earning their livelihood. 

It said, slaughtering of animals for food and sacrifice was part of the cultural identity of certain communities and was protected by law.The government had, last month, banned the sale of cattle for slaughter and restricted cattle trade to farm owners.