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Cow Ban in India Faces Backlash for Restricting Religious Freedom

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Violence against cattle traders is increasing by the day; massive protests shake the country

India’s ban on cow-slaughter has thrown the country into utter chaos after massive protests.[/tweetit] The ban on cow-slaughter has been called for by Hindu extremists for a long time now and has finally happened under the regime of Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister, known for his endorsements of Hindu extremism.

Cow Ban in India Faces Backlash for Restricting Religious Freedom[/tweetthis]

The cow is considered sacred to Hindus in India because the milk of the cow is used for a variety of purposes such as making buttermilk, cheese, sweets and so on, which are also an essential part of many Hindu rituals. Besides, because cow milk is the most widely consumed type of milk in the Hindu-majority nation, it is considered to be a ‘second mother’. However, beef consumption has always been part of the country’s history, and many Hindus from the lower rungs of Hindu society have been consuming beef as a cheap source of nutrition.

The push for a ban on cow-slaughter intensified after the coming of Narendra Modi to power, who extremist Hindus consider the embodiment of everything they believe in. already different states in India, such as Maharashtra, home to Mumbai and Uttar Pradesh, the nation’s most populated state.

The outrage comes not only from the millions of Dalit Hindus, Christians and Muslims in the country but also from Hindus as well. The ban of a form of meat in a democratic nation is seen by all as an open violation of the county’s values as a Democracy. In fact, the leaders of certain South Indian states such as Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu have refused to comply with the orders, which have come through the ministry of environment, which insists that the decision was taken to protect the environment. In fact, beef is the most popular meat among people of all religions in Kerala. Protesters even organized ‘beef fests’ throughout the state, publicly cooking and serving beef.

Although a stay has been issued, and the law is yet to be debated in the Supreme Court of India, industries dependent on beef are already feeling the heat with job losses and drop in business. Experts have warned that India, a top exporter of beef, is rushing towards a steep drop in Economy if the ban becomes concrete.

Even though the case in the Supreme Court is not due till July, disturbing news of mob lynchings and other violence related to cattle are already making the daily headlines of the nation.

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