The BJP and right-wing outfits have again raked up the issue of cattle slaughter as they do not seem to have a positive agenda to pursue (“BJP for law against cattle slaughter in all States,” March 16). Beef remains a preferred food item of Dalits, tribals, some minorities, the OBCs as well as the younger generation. Cattle-rearing farmers resort to selling cattle to slaughter houses to raise money for their exigencies. If the ‘sale-to-slaughter-house’ option is banned, farmers will slowly give up rearing cattle and the heroes of cattle protection will end up endangering their numbers in the long run. Why cannot a secular state that guarantees religious freedom for all ensure that citizens are allowed their own choice of food?
P. Haridas,Chennai
While stopping animal slaughter in general is good, the focus on banning cow slaughter is flawed. First; the government of the day does not seem to have a plan of providing alternative job opportunities for those involved in this practice — slaughtering, meat marketing, etc. Second, Indian agriculture has limited involvement of animals in different agricultural activities. I hail from an agricultural background and I remember a time when we had a few bulls we used for agricultural operations. We no longer have them as we have switched to mechanised farming. Third, the current generation does not have a place for animals. A decade ago, feeding animals in an elaborate manner was done as a ritual. Today, no one bothers about this. It is sad to see cows being uncared for and left to forage on garbage and ingesting plastic waste. No one seems to care.
Rajnish Singh,Haridwar, Uttarakhand
Implementing restrictions on consuming meats of any kind is meaningless unless there is a total ban on slaughter. This is akin to banning liquor consumption without stopping production. A person who is used to consuming meat may change his diet but not the habit. Hence, to reduce meat consumption of any kind, there has to be a restriction on food habits. Meat and meat products should not form a part of the menu for children below the age of five. They must become vegetarian, gradually.
J.J. Vellara,Kozhikode
