Judge cites Manusmriti while sentencing 3 in cow slaughter case

Gujarat: A session court in Gujarat quoted verses from Manusmriti, an ancient Sanskrit scripture, while sentencing three Muslims to rigorous life imprisonment in a cow slaughter case.

“A cow is considered the mother of the universe. She is revered as the mother of the universe and believed that 33 crore deities reside. Protecting the cows is an act related to religion and compassion,” Additional Sessions Judge BR Rajput read out the sentence on Monday, October 26.

Manusmriti regards the cow as not merely an animal but an equal and the “axis” of dharma.”

2024 cow slaughter case

The three accused – Vasim Kureshi of Juhapura, Mahmad Rafiq Kureshi of Behrampura and Asfak Bahelim of Fatehwadi – would buy old or non-milking cows and buffaloes at low prices and slaughter them for business.

In August 2024, they were found in possession of 277 kg of beef valued at Rs 55,000. They planned to sell the meat to three others -Lalabhai Senma, Ghulam Moin Kureshi and Vitthal Senma – who were also arrested.

A case was registered under the Gujarat Animal Preservation (Amendment) Act and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.

Those who kill cows should be punished: Gujarat judge

On Monday, the court convicted Vasim Kureshi, Mahmad Rafiq and Asfak Bahelim.

“Despite knowing that a cow is like a mother, they were trying to sell beef after slaughtering it. They were caught red-handed, and if such accused are not given punishment prescribed under the law, the cow will disappear from the face of the earth,” Judge BR Rajput said.

What is religion’s role in Indian law

Manusmriti is a highly controversial Sanskrit scripture, known for its rigid social stratification, deep-seated caste hierarchies and patriarchy, considering women unequal.

In India, courts operate under a secular constitutional framework. A judgement or a verdict is expected to be based on evidence provided before the court. A judge referring to a religious quote from the Bhagavad Gita, the Bible, the Quran, or the Guru Granth Sahib, or in this case, the Manusmriti, undermine judicial reasoning.

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