Guwahati, July 2 -- The Tamil Nadu government, led by Chief Minister Vijay, has approached the Supreme Court challenging a Madras High Court order that prohibits the slaughter of cows and calves across the state. The move has intensified political debate, with opposition parties accusing the government of acting too late while the ruling side maintains that it required time to prepare its legal challenge.

In its appeal, the state has argued that the High Court's May 27 ruling exceeds the scope of the Tamil Nadu Animal Preservation Act, 1958. According to the government, the Act permits the slaughter of cows above 10 years of age if they are certified as permanently unfit for work or breeding. By imposing a blanket ban, the court, the sta...