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.
banning the sale of beef within its borders, including in the biggest city in
India: Mumbai.
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.
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.
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.
is to adopt a compassionate vegan diet.
