India, July 1 -- The Tamil Nadu government on Wednesday approached the Supreme Court challenging the Madras High Court order imposing a blanket ban on the slaughter of cows, arguing that the order contradicts existing state laws.

The state argued that the May 27 order of the high court was contrary to the Tamil Nadu Animal Preservation Act, 1958, which allows the slaughter of cows aged over 10 years that are unfit for work or breeding, subject to a certificate issued by the competent authority, according to Live Law.

The government also pointed out that several other laws governing animal slaughter-including the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Slaughter House) Rules, 2001, the Tamil Nadu...