Wednesday, October 26 2005 17:39 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today (Oct 26, 2005) termed as 'significant' the Supreme Court verdict upholding the 1994 Gujarat Government order banning slaughter of bulls and bullocks over the age of 16 years and said it would have an 'impact on national life'.

"Our Constitution provides for cow protection. Mahatma Gandhi also used to advocate it. But unfortunately it (ban on cow slaughter) was not done due to vote bank politics. The Gujarat Government had banned it and we are victorious today," Modi said.

He said the verdict was 'very significant' for those who love the cow and believe in non-violence and 'it would have a major impact on our national life'.

The VHP also termed the Apex Court verdict as 'heartening' for Hindus throughout the world.

"Cow and its progeny are the backbone of our economic, social and religious development", Parishad Senior Vice-President Acharya Giriraj Kishore said.

He demanded that the Centre and state Governments immediately ban cow slaughter 'as provided in the Constitution and as desired by the father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi'.