In a major development, the Supreme Court (SC) ordered a stay on on the cattle slaughter ban imposed by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government.

The Apex Court ordered the Madras High Court's recent stay on the cattle sale ban should continue, and must be applied nation-wide.

Stating that the "livelihoods of people cannot be subjected to uncertainties", the court asked the government to modify the law.

In response, the Centre said would tweak the existing law and notify the apex court over any changes made.

The controversial law was implemented on May 29, with a gazette notification, titled Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Markets) Rules, 2017 that was issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change.

It states that no one can bring cattle to an animal market unless he or she has furnished a written declaration that the cattle will not be sold for the purpose of slaughter.

Further, upon sale of cattle, the animal market committee will take an “undertaking” that the animals are for agricultural purposes and not for slaughter.