Calf slaughter is finally banned in Maharashtra — a move that took almost two decades to materialize and was initiated during the previous Sena-BJP government. The data shows that Indian States can be classified into five categories — north-eastern States with no restrictions on cattle slaughter; Kerala with no law but a caveat; Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Assam which allow the slaughter of cattle with a certificate; Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Bihar, Goa and Odisha which ban cow slaughter, but allow the slaughter of other cattle with a certificate; and the rest of India which bans the slaughter of all cattle.
Transcript of the chat:
Ram Puniyani: This ban on BEEF WILL AFFECT THE economically and many people will be affected including those dealing with cow hide, which is very important for leather industry.
5:04 pm
Guest: Don't you think eating beef or meat in general has wrongly been argued as a personal choice?
Ram Puniyani: Beef had been a part of Indian dietary tradition, please see Taitreya bBramin where you find, "Atho Annam Vai Gau' , Cow inveriably the part of food, also in Charat Samhita you find beef soup adviced for Khsay Rog (TB)
5:05 pm
Bala: There are so many ways to spur economic growth, That does not mean we can do anything, Envrionmental impact is one. The best solution to reduce greenhouse gase emissions is to eat Vegetarian food, this is the conclusion at the global level.
Ram Puniyani: Beef ban comes in with the Hindutva politics in general, its dietary importance for poor dalits and Adivasis is being underestimated. It is the cheapest and rich source of protein
Omar Rashid: Kasi: Yes, thats a valid point as the leather industry is closely linked to the cattle trade. But without a proper means of shifting it cannot be done. They have been engaged in the trade for ages
Ram Puniyani: In Mumbai 9 Lakh Kg of beef is consumed daily. India is also one of the large exporter of beef internatinally
5:09 pm
Ananth: India being a secular nation, why shouldn't the govt. of India protect the interest of majority followers(Hinduism) principle across all the states in India or allow minority followers principle alone to present ourself as secular nation or are we really sacrificing religious principles across all the religions(Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, Sikhs etc.,)to certain extent to protect secularism ?
Omar Rashid: Yes. Indeed
5:10 pm
K Muhammed Ismayil: Constitution says about creating Scientific temper. Why this is not applicable for people who believe Cow is their mother?
Ram Puniyani: One supports the idea that animals should be treated with respect. The question is at present our economic and biological cycle is mixed and dietary habits are dependent on consumption of animals. we can strive for a society where animals dont have to be killed for human consumption, but banning it today is high handed political agenda.
5:12 pm
Guest: Is it possible to go for an appeal against it?
Omar Rashid: The Bill has got the President's approval. So soon it will be implemented. The concerned people, beef traders may go to court seeking a delay in implementation as they are not provided any alternate means of livelihood
Ram Puniyani: If we look from ecological and other angels then why only ban on cow, not on buffaloes or goats.
5:14 pm
A S Pradeep: When majority of the nation consider Cow as a holy animal why don't the other religions respect the decision in the true spirit?. That is one point and also I agree with Mr. Kai
Omar Rashid: It is not about respecting or offending. Cow slaughter has been illegal for decades. the current ban only extends it to bulls and bullocks
5:15 pm
Ram Puniyani: True, this section in particular because of low socio economic status
Omar Rashid: Yes. beef is a cheap form of protein and for urban poor important source of nutrition
5:17 pm
Sameer: Does the government have a plan in place to compensate or provide any alternate means of livelihoods/ training to the people in the trade that are affected by this ruling?
Omar Rashid: Nope. Nothing so far. Thousands of people might be jobless or forced to engage in illegal trade, which again raises risks of crime
5:19 pm
Ram Puniyani: The sacredness of cow begins somewhere in 8th century, before that it was part of sacrificial rituals and part of food as well
5:20 pm
Guest: What about the punishment that has been sanctioned for selling and possession of beef? Do you think its just?
Omar Rashid: F ive years and 10000 rupees. non-bailable warrant. need we say more?
5:21 pm
Alok Dubey: Can freedom of individual's choice be granted if that hurts sentiments of millions? This is not the case of respecting any specific religion but in general shouldn't govt intervene in such cases? I think we should look this issue related with the sentiments of a section of community.
Ram Puniyani: Hindus are close to 79%, but no religious community is uniform, there are diverse traditions within Hinduism and to claim that all Hindus want ban on beef consumption is wrong
5:22 pm
Guest: Can freedom of individual's choice be granted if that hurts sentiments of millions? This is not the case of respecting any specific religion but in general shouldn't govt intervene in such cases? I think we should look this issue related with the sentiments of a section of community.
Omar Rashid: Hurt millions of people is a perception. Each community holds in regard certain things--food, animals, colours, objects. if a ban is extended to each objection, there will be nothing to ban. The idea is to tolerate and co-exist
5:23 pm
Ram Puniyani: Yes sentiments of others have to be respected. "others " also have to respect the dietary choices of 'others' so how do we strike a balance. Best is that we let people have their ways so far it does not affect the others. Sentiments have been constructed and used for political agendas time and over again
A S Pradeep: If the subject is not a cow, There wouldn't have been an issue!!
Omar Rashid: To correct you, cow is banned in Maharashtra since 1976. The ban in 2015 is the extension to bulls and bullocks, which could be slaughtered with permission and certificate known as the fit for slaughter
5:23 pm
Ram Puniyani: Yes sentiments of others have to be respected. "others " also have to respect the dietary choices of 'others' so how do we strike a balance. Best is that we let people have their ways so far it does not affect the others. Sentiments have been constructed and used for political agendas time and over again
5:25 pm
Geo Rajmohan: Is it not questionable the stand of Bombay High Court on this matter? Can that be challenged?
Omar Rashid: The trades involved are mulling over raising in in court--the police action and hurry in implementing the ban which is yet to formalize. Legally they can challenge a decision
5:28 pm
Guest: People who are claiming that beef is a economic source of protein. I request them to please do a bit of research fist 100g of beef offers 14g of beef.. and 100ml of milk offers 4g of protein. though it is less but u can get same 1 glass of milk from the same cattle for I do not know how many years. So please give some valid justification
Omar Rashid: Milk cannot replace the protein found in eggs and meat. The composition is different. Both are important when available in whatever form
5:28 pm
Guest: People who are claiming that beef is a economic source of protein. I request them to please do a bit of research fist 100g of beef offers 14g of beef.. and 100ml of milk offers 4g of protein. though it is less but u can get same 1 glass of milk from the same cattle for I do not know how many years. So please give some valid justification
Omar Rashid: Milk cannot replace the protein found in eggs and meat. The composition is different. Both are important when available in whatever form
5:31 pm
Ram Puniyani: The abuse of animals which is detrimental to environment is applicable to all animals, we need to discuss this-why separate cow from other animals
A S Pradeep: I agree. Apart from religious context there are other factors like milk and milk products/ There are no of replacements available as a nutrients substitutes
Omar Rashid: But the cost factor comes in. Beef is not just about meat. Cattle is linked to the leather trade for example. Where do you think your belt comes from? The Bull or Buffalo. There is a market for such things. that needs to be considered before comparing milk and beef
5:34 pm
Guest: Omar Rashid when it is talked about undernourished. We do not go deep in the chemistry of it.
Omar Rashid: We are discussing sociology here. Beef ban is more about the political statement of an ideology than just about milk, meat or any food
5:35 pm
Jitamanyu Sahoo: Religion and politics co-exist since time immemorial. We have loads of legislations that have there own political agenda when they were tabled. Banning beef or banning the documentary is something which the political prerogative enjoy. But how can a wrong be corrected is a bigger question? Whats next? Where do we go from here?
Omar Rashid: That is a question you should ask the current dispensation. Good point though. Let's wait and watch
5:36 pm
Ram Puniyani: Our effort should be to keep religion as personal matter, we should go towards that with whatever speed possible. So Cow and other animals should be treated on par, and the primary considerations should be dietary and environmental
5:38 pm
Ram Puniyani: From dietary angle there is no such study to say that vegetarianism is better.
5:39 pm
T. Arvind: In States such as Kerala and Tamil Nadu substantial youth fall prey to liquors. In Punjab it's the drugs. Should we encourage these too. My point is can't you live without beef. Can't you respect the sentiments of millions of people?
Omar Rashid: Respecting sentiments is vital in a pluralistic democracy. However, ban on beef assumes that "all Hindus" are offended by it. This is not true. Respecting law is supreme.
5:38 pm
Guest: India has a huge deficit in Protein Rich pulses and surplus in protein rich beef meat. So, why not allow consumption of beef to those who have no objections. Why impose your religious beliefs on them? Chandra
Ram Puniyani: The ban on beef is part of a political agenda and not guided by the social or ecological or economic considerations. Our policies should be guided by these factors.
5:43 pm
Guest: My question to those who are asking others to stop eating beef because it hurts their own sentiments, is why can't you respect the sentiments and dietary habits of people who eat beef ? And that too not of cow, but of buffaloes and bulls in cases like Maharashtra.
Omar Rashid: yes! but since its not about dietary choice or sentiment it cannot happen. It is about politics and the political furthering of the agenda of the current rule
5:45 pm
Abhishek: 5 years imprisonment for possession of beef and 2 years for sexual harassment. Eating beef is more dangerous than sexually harassing a women?
Omar Rashid: Yes its harsh and the consequences will be clear in a few months
5:48 pm
Ram Puniyani: Turning to vegetarianism or even becoming vegan is fine. The single point is singling out Cow from other animals is a part of communal agenda, other considerations are perfectly fine and should be respected
5:50 pm
Anand: Regressive from a government that fought the election on a development agenda. Far more important issues need the attention and capacity of the government. Disappointed with BJP, sort of expected this from the 'Right' brigade anyways.
Omar Rashid: And it took them just two weeks to initiate the move that was in cold storage for 19 years!
5:51 pm
Ram Puniyani: In a civilized society, the issues related to dietary practices, should be debated in a positive spirit, banning beef which a big part of our economy and part of diet of large section of people of all religions is a narrow agenda of a political tendency.
Guest: We don't seem to have problem with leather. Won't a ban on slaughter affect leather industry too?
Omar Rashid: Yes it will. the leather made from bull is the finest one. so this will affect the quality of shoes, belts and bags you use. But the real consequences, as i said before, will be seen in course of time. We can analyze it better then.
5:57 pm
Ram Puniyani: It is not just a minority majority issue but surely baning of beef will affect large sections of minorities than majority community
5:59 pm
Ram Puniyani: In sum and substance the Maharashtra Government is playing the communal politics by banning the beef. All animals are to be respected equally. Those who regard Cow as their mother should keep it as a personal sentiment and not to impose it upon the whole society.
- Fully banned
- Andhra Pradesh, Telangana , Bihar, Chattisgarh, Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, J&K, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand
- Allowed with slaughter certificates
- Assam, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal
- No ban
- Arunachal Pradesh, Kerala (animals above 10 years), Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura
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