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Beef outlawed in Indian state; violators get prison time, fine

By Amy R. Connolly
Indian President Pranab Mukherjee approved a bill that bans the consumption, sale or possession of beef in the state of Maharashtra. Photo by Nila Newsom/cc
Indian President Pranab Mukherjee approved a bill that bans the consumption, sale or possession of beef in the state of Maharashtra. Photo by Nila Newsom/cc

MUMBAI, March 4 (UPI) -- Indian President Pranab Mukherjee approved a bill that bans the consumption, sale or possession of beef in the state of Maharashtra, with punishments up to five years in prison and more than $150 in fines.

The beef ban, which took effect in the state that includes Mumbai, India's financial capital, came as an amendment to a 1972 law prohibiting the slaughter of cows. The new ban has been expanded to bulls, bullocks and calves, but not water buffalo. India's large Hindu population reveres cows as a symbol of life.

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The Maharashtra Animal Preservation (Amendment) Bill was introduced in 1995, but languished for some 20 years. The bill got a new life when the right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party regained control last year.

"This is a historic step, which has cultural as well as economic implications for the state. We had passed this act when we were in power in 1995 and had sent it for the president's nod in 1996. Subsequent governments in the state, however, failed to do the needful to get the Bill implemented. We had promised in our manifesto to bring this Bill and we have managed to do it," BJP parliament member Kirit Somaiya said.

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Some retailers and restaurateurs fear the ban could mean jobs lost and an increase in the price of other meats. Beef traders are eyeing legal recourse on the ban.

"We are now holding deliberations to see if we can challenge this in any way. The beef traders have been impacted but it will be the farmers who will be affected the most. Who will care for the old and infirm animals that were earlier sold for meat?" said Arif Chowdhury of the All India Jamiatul Quresh Action Committee, an organisation of beef traders.

Other states in India have bans on beef, but the Maharashtra beef ban is considered the toughest in the country.

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