By Mubasshir Mushtaq
NEW DELHI
An Indian state's decision on Monday to ban the sale and possession of beef has been described as "dietary fascism" by angry activists.
The ban, which would be introduced through an amendment of an animal preservation law, was approved by India's President Pranab Mukherjee on Monday night. It was pushed through by the ruling right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party in the western state of Maharashtra, where the party also leads the state assembly.
“Thanks a lot Hon President Sir for the assent on Maharashtra Animal Preservation Bill. Our dream of ban on cow slaughter becomes a reality now,” Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced on social media website Twitter on Monday night.
Many politicians and civil rights activists reacted angrily to the nationalist state government’s blanket ban on beef, arguing that eating habits cannot be dictated or changed by the government.
“#BeefBan is not about preventing cruelty to animals, it’s about imposing Brahminical culture on all,” Kavita Krishnan, a leading civil rights activist tweeted on Tuesday.
“After all, buffaloes too are animals, right? And the dairy industry is deeply cruel to dairy animals. What people eat, and why is determined by complex, social, economic factors,” Krishnan said. “To claim moral superiority for vegetarian diet and vilify/ban others is dietary fascism.”
“How can a state government dictate our dietary habits?” Asif Shaikh, a state legislator for the opposition Congress party told Anadolu Agency. “Instead of announcing beef ban, the chief minister Fadnavis should have announced a ban on illiteracy.”
Shaikh said he will object to the new act in the state legislature saying the ban has been imposed with a “communal” motive.
Right-wing Hindu groups including the prominent Rashtriya Swayemsevak Sangh -- which current Prime Minister Narendra Modi is closely associated with -- have been demanding to bring a law to curtail the consumption of beef for many years.
Once implemented, the law will affect millions of people employed or connected with the beef industry.
“The beef industry in Maharashtra is worth millions and I cannot fathom how the ban will be implemented,” Abdul Hameed, a beef trader in north Maharashtra told AA. “It will severely affect not just Muslims but also Hindu farmers in rural areas who frequently sell their old and infirm animals for slaughter.”
“Once we get the details of the Act, we are keen to seek a legal remedy in higher judiciary,” said Hameed.
Hameed said the ban will affect the state economy as increasing demand will push up prices of mutton, chicken and vegetables.
Beef traders in Maharashtra went on strike for a week in February alleging harassment by right-wing groups. They called off their strike after chief minister Fadnavis assured protection to vehicles transporting animals.
While many Hindus grant cows a speicial status within the religion, and therefore do not consume beef, many Indians choose it over other meats because it can be more affordable.
