Indian State Passes Beef Ban; Violators Subject to Fines, Jail Time

The Indian state of Maharashtra is making headlines for banning the sale of beef within its borders, including in the biggest city in India: Mumbai.

According to BBC News:

The Indian president has approved a bill which bans the slaughter of cows and the sale and consumption of beef in the western state of Maharashtra. Anyone found breaking the law will face a fine and up to five years in prison. …

… The BBC’s Shilpa Kannan in Delhi says the Maharashtra beef ban is the toughest so far in India – along with cows, it also forbids the killing of bulls and bullocks and even possessing beef, which will now be considered as contraband.

None of this should come as a shock. Hindus, who make up over 80 percent of the Indian population, consider cows sacred, and just last year, the Indian city of Palitana become the first all-vegetarian city in the world.

This historic change will likely spare the lives of countless cows who would otherwise have been eaten, but does little to protect other animals who are often subjected to abuse before being consumed, including chickens.

Of course, the best thing we can do to protect all farmed animals is to adopt a compassionate vegan diet.

For tips on making the transition, check out ChooseVeg.com.