The Karnataka government has directed district authorities to keep a watch to ensure cows are not slaughtered in the state on account of Bakrid and a related new law is implemented without let-up.

Sangh parivar groups have already started a campaign against violating the Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Bill 2020 that made slaughter of any cattle, except buffaloes aged 13 and above, an offence punishable with up to seven years in jail.

Minister for animal husbandry Prabhu Chauhan has urged the Muslim community not to sacrifice cattle. The minister cautioned that the law would take its course if anyone is caught sacrificing cattle for Bakrid this weekend.

“Police and animal husbandry officials have been instructed to maintain strict vigil across the state to make sure the new law is strictly followed. A close watch will be maintained at borders (with neighbouring states) to ensure cattle are not transported,” he said.

The government has formed a task force to implement the new law that allows the slaughter of only buffaloes aged at least 13 years and certified by the animal husbandry officials as fit for slaughter and human consumption.

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad and its youth arm Bajrang Dal have already launched a campaign against sacrificing cattle for Bakrid. Their cadres have been asked to keep an eye on cattle being transported to other southern states where beef is consumed.

Mosques in Karnataka have been alerted to the possible legal action Muslims could face for sacrificing cattle. Maulana Mohammed Maqsood Imran, chief imam of Juma Mazjid of Bangalore, said that all the mosques and Muslim organisations had been told to communicate to the people about the need to strictly follow the new anti-cattle slaughter law.

“Sacrificing goats is the best option under the circumstances. So we have informed our community about the need to stick to the law and avoid any issues in the name of Bakrid sacrifice,” Maulana Mohammed Maqsood Imran told The Telegraph.

He urged the state government to ensure Sangh parivar outfits do not take law into their hands in the name of vigilantism. “No one has the right to take law into their hands and the government must ensure that,” he said.

Several people have been arrested for selling beef in the state since the new law came into being. A father and son were arrested in Bantwal, Dakshina Kannada district, on July 1 for allegedly slaughtering cows and selling beef.