After beef ban, Hindu groups force Indian abattoirs to close
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MUMBAI: Members of a Hindu nationalist group have forced several abattoirs in the Indian state of Maharashtra to shut after a law was passed banning the beef trade there, a leader of the group and a lawyer for meat traders said on Wednesday.
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad, or World Hindu Council, a nationalist group linked to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ruling party, acted after winning a court order to stop the killing of bulls and bullocks.
Take a look: Indian state of Maharashtra bans beef
“Members of the VHP came to Deonar abattoir late at night and asked us to stop the slaughter, showing the copy of the High Court order,” said Mohammad Ali Qureshi, president of the Bombay Suburban Beef Dealers Association.
Deonar, on the outskirts of Mumbai, is India's largest abattoir. The beef trade is mainly controlled by minority Muslims, raising concern that the ban is driven by Modi loyalists pursuing a Hindu agenda.
President Pranab Mukherjee last week gave his assent to the Maharashtra Animal Preservation Bill, which had been pending for 20 years, extending a ban on the killing of cows, considered sacred by Hindus, to bulls and bullocks.
The law calls for up to five-years jail for anyone found in possession of beef, according to media reports.
But the state government — led by a Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party — said it could take a week to implement the law, prompting the VHP to petition the Bombay High Court on Tuesday for an immediate ban.
“Why wait for another 5 to 6 days, just for paper formalities and the final draft?” asked Vyankatesh Abdeo, all-India secretary of the VHP. “If we would have waited thousands of cattle would have been slaughtered.”
Attacks on the trade have intensified in Maharashtra since the BJP came to power 10 months ago.
Modi himself criticised the previous government for promoting a “pink revolution to butcher cattle and export meat”.
Acting on the VHP's appeal, Justice V.M. Kanade on Tuesday ordered the state to ensure that killing of bulls and bullocks is stopped, according to a copy of the order seen by Reuters.
Meat centres across the state, including Deonar, have stopped operating, said Sagheer Khan, a lawyer for All Maharashtra Cattle Merchant Association.
Up to 95 per cent of the large-sized cattle slaughtered in Deonar were bulls or bullocks, with the rest being water buffaloes, whose killing is legal.
Beef dealer Qureshi said the ban would cost many jobs and push up prices of buffalo meat.
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On DawnNews
Comments (61) Closed
Mar 04, 2015 05:05pm
"I am a born Hindu" - This was Modi's election slogan. Now India can enjoy their poster boy and BJP with it's Hindu agenda. This ban will go viral in India while BJP is in power and before you know it, there will be more cows walking around on Indian streets than humans.
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Mar 04, 2015 05:13pm
@lafanga LOL. The sad part is that even then, India will a million times better than Pakistan, eh?
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Mar 04, 2015 05:17pm
Who said meat is banned to hindus? Plz check Hindu religious scriptures. Manusmriti Chap 5, Verse no. 30, 31, 40. And for beef please read Mahabharat Anushasan Parva Chap 88. Its all allowed to eat non veg. Its upto you either you follow your scriptures or your Pandits teachings.
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Mar 04, 2015 05:20pm
I do not think this will last longer. The ban will be lifted, mark my words. In a democracy you cannot impose your religious beliefs on someone else, that happens only in Pakistan. I am sure they will listen to the 200 million+ muslim population, after all, they need their vote in the next elections.
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Mar 04, 2015 05:39pm
Why don't they export these lovely cows to Pakistan for free. We love to eat beef. If Modi's government donate millions of cows to Pakistan, we will consider it a friendly gesture.
Honestly, isn't it a good idea... :)
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Mar 04, 2015 05:40pm
Good, send the bulls to Pakistan. Atleast we can have decrease in meat prices. But send only healthy ones...
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Mar 04, 2015 05:50pm
@Awais Ali well sir, Hinduism doesn't have a scripture unlike western religions, of course beef was consumed during early Vedic period but like I said hindus don't necessarily follow books. our religion is based on practise of dharma and for us dharma is not constant and changes with generations and of course just because it is written in a manuscript doesn't mean its right and please don't bring pundits in to this 95% of Brahmins wouldn't have read a single verse in their life
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Mar 04, 2015 05:54pm
@KhalidS - I think you need to start reading a bit more
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Mar 04, 2015 06:29pm
There are ample evidences in ancient Indian literature and auspicious books that eating meat was a very common practice. This practice will affected those people who were engaged in this trade. I am sure that government will not make any alternative arrangement for them. Besides, meat was the resource of protein for extremely poor people in India. Now they will have to search for alternative source of protein which will be costlier. Therefore, they are likely to remain under-nourished. While making public policy, government needs to focus on the people who are likely to be affected by this policy. Try to make substitute plan for affected or rehabilitate them and then go for policy change. Emotional decisions most of the time do not give desirable results. What happen to Gujarat after banning liquor ? There are more liquor consumption in Gujarat via black marketing then earlier. People are smart enough to find alternative strategies to off-set the policy objectives.
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Mar 04, 2015 06:59pm
@Awais Ali Meat eating was discouraged to reduce violence and bring people towards non-violence and peace, also to stop the rapid spread of buddhism during those times using non-violence as a tool and to promote hinduism using same principles, killing animals makes people wild animals.
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Mar 04, 2015 07:09pm
India is one of the largest exporter of water buffalos meat in the world, because the Buffalos are predonimantly used for milk and male buffalos for farm work, even in their older age they have tender meat which is lean and hence is favoured. This ban is to improve the price of the export !!!
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Mar 04, 2015 07:13pm
In a secular country, you cannot impose bans according to a party's religious believes. If you have to ban, then ban all types of meat. I voted for BJP just because of Modi, but i think religious extremism of the party and the supporting religious groups will be the reason for their downfall.
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Mar 04, 2015 07:16pm
meat of certain animals is also prohibited in islam, if my understanding is right.
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Mar 04, 2015 07:18pm
@KhalidS This is exactly what is called vote bank politics.
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Mar 04, 2015 07:38pm
@Awais Ali -please don't insult the religious scriptures (mahabharata) of our hindu brothers. For hindus, meat is allowed but consumption of beef prohibited. Peace !
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Mar 04, 2015 07:39pm
@KhalidS First of all banning beef is not forcing Hindu culture and their are lot of things Hindus don't do which hurt muslim sentiment this is how you live in a democracy.
Eg real story -In our hostel during a New Year celebration their was suppose to be some dishes containing pork but we removed those dishes even if we liked those dishes just because there were 2 muslim friends along with the rest 300 of us .That is called true secularism.
Hindus won't do what is offensive to muslims and muslims won't do what is offensive to hindus.
P.S -India has 171 million muslims among 1215 million people Govt statistics 2011
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Mar 04, 2015 07:52pm
Good news for Bangladesh. Beef prices will fall there as more Indian cows will find their way to the Bangladeshi cattle markets.
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Mar 04, 2015 07:58pm
@KhalidS I eat beef but don't consider it necessary. If beef is banned I can always eat something else. My point is Muslims shouldn't worry that beef is banned. No one will starve as they are many other options.
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Mar 04, 2015 08:20pm
India was 24% of world GDP in 1750.
The while Indian economy was then dependent on Cows and Bulls.
Lets be grateful to those who give us so much by not killing them for worldly pleasures.
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Mar 04, 2015 08:49pm
@AV - But make sure anything that is bad make it look it good then you will definitely be "million times better"!
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Mar 04, 2015 08:52pm
@ umesh g - Yes, but pork and alcohol is available to our minorities in Pakistan.
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Mar 04, 2015 08:52pm
Secularism means equal respect to all religions...If cows are sacred to Hindus, Muslim brothers should respect their feelings.
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Mar 04, 2015 09:00pm
@ umesh g It is the right of Hindus to stop slaughtering any animal as per their belief in their own country.
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Mar 04, 2015 09:09pm
Guys before making comments please note that certain meats are banned in Islam too. So before you bring national or Islamic pride in this context think before you comment.
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Mar 04, 2015 09:10pm
@KhalidS: HAHAHA you thought india was a "secular" country...HAHAHAHAHAHA
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Mar 04, 2015 09:12pm
@AV
Its because you never visited pakistan. You have no idea what you are talking about.
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Mar 04, 2015 09:18pm
@Harmony really, please check again. In many places minorities are killed well just for being minorities...
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Mar 04, 2015 09:21pm
It was expected. Watch out for what happens next.
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Mar 04, 2015 10:03pm
Now, where are they??, always peeping poison here, about the creation of Pakistan. Let them know, Pakistan creation was and remains the blessing for us...what so ever you peeps and media talk about, we love our Country, Pakistan Zindabad!!!
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Mar 04, 2015 10:12pm
@AV so what is your point? Why are you comparing with Pakistan. I thought India was dreaming to be part of first world & the UN security consul seat
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Mar 04, 2015 10:15pm
@Sid - Shall we choose which topic you wish to discuss first? I thought it was about cows!
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Mar 04, 2015 10:25pm
@Abdul Qadir I did not insult anybody,s scripture it was typing error. And secondly did you read Mahabharata Anushasan Perva Chap 88? You would find the answer about beef. Even consumption is allowed.
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Mar 04, 2015 10:31pm
@zak-i-chan Again i am going toward scriptures and you are going towards teachings told by Hindu scholars or pandits. If you believe in non violence on animals then why you kill and do violence on fruits, crops, and vegetables??? they are also living things and have senses as well.
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Mar 04, 2015 10:49pm
Eating beef is not Muslim culture. There is nothing great about killing helpless animals and eating them. So my dear friends, do not get so excited show some humanity.
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Mar 04, 2015 11:07pm
@Awais Ali Here we go again. Vegetables are source of nutrition by non violent ways. You can take apples from an apple tree without having to axe that tree. Next you may present case of bacteria in water and air I suppose.
It is not compulsory to be a vegetarian in Hinduism, however those who wish to pursue spiritual advancement prefer not to consume meat.
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Mar 04, 2015 11:09pm
@lafanga This ban is in place in Maharashtra only. Why do people have a go at Modi for every trivia matter?
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Mar 04, 2015 11:32pm
Its good by Indian state , I respect there feeling as I understnd what religion feeling one can has. I give tham due respect although I am muslim from Okara
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Mar 04, 2015 11:38pm
@Awais Ali There is no religious restriction for Hindus here to refrain from beef. Hindus do not eat beef as a mark of love to Lord Krishna. I do not eat beef. but I think this ban is ridiculous. Most Hindus around here are criticizing this ban despite the fact that nobody eats beef here. No wonder beef is unhealthy, but a ban is so un-Indian.
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Mar 05, 2015 12:26am
@Harmony pork is also available for our minorities too.
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Mar 05, 2015 12:30am
@Tarannum S. Thanks. But please extend this love to respect Human lives ; and not just beef.
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Mar 05, 2015 12:34am
India on the way to an intolerant and theocratic state.Sad.
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Mar 05, 2015 12:40am
Beef and Pork are both cheap sources of Protein; it should not be banned.
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Mar 05, 2015 12:40am
@tintin So you eat apple without axe but what about rice plants? wheat plants? radish? carrot? turnip? cabbage? potato? so many other living things which you kill and do violence on them but you are only concern about violence on animals but your scripture do not stop you from eating meat. what you follow?
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Mar 05, 2015 12:42am
@Tarannum S. Very good. That was the point i want to explain that there is no restriction on Hindus to refrain from beef. its up to individual but no religious compulsion.
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Mar 05, 2015 01:09am
@Goga Nalaik LOve you man!
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Mar 05, 2015 01:10am
@suren: The world is trending towards less meat for health, economic, and
environmental reasons. Study up!
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Mar 05, 2015 01:15am
@Imran what the heck are you talking about....my family won't touch a food without meat...!
Meat is our staple food man...!
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Mar 05, 2015 01:21am
@abhijeet: Where I grew up Hindus and Muslims, out of consideration and respect for each other, did not expose the other to beef or pork respectively.
That is TOLERANCE and civility. Some of my Muslims relatives do not eat beef and a few are seriously vegetarian --BY CHOICE!
That's FREEDOM of choice!
Thank you for your excellent post!
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Mar 05, 2015 01:32am
@Tarannum S.: If I we can get over the religious yuck factor on any kind of meat and see it as a business opportunity! Then we can all eat well and prosper!
but there is NO room for anyone to offend others!
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Mar 05, 2015 02:42am
This is ridiculous... I am Hindu brahmin by birth...but I am very liberal..n my favourite meat is beef...it's very tasty..especially beef dry fry..Early Hindus did eat beef..I have read Rigveda, oldest of the Vedas..From dat I can tell u Hindus at that time did eat beef...
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Mar 05, 2015 03:04am
@indopak - Be good and do that for beef too...you need votes!
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Mar 05, 2015 05:20am
just saw a comment of an indian on shoaib akhtar comment talking about freedom of speech, i wonder if he is going to comment on this
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Mar 05, 2015 05:54am
@AV, good for you brother !
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Mar 05, 2015 06:04am
now the other white meat needs to be popularized in India. will lead to a population decrease.
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Mar 05, 2015 06:04am
@KhalidS, you are living in a different world my friend. The BJP
does not need the Muslim vote.
For your information the Indians do things quietly supported by the Western media. You will never see an artical against Indian class system in the newspapers in the western hemisphere. Widows, now can celebrate Holi; but people of other religions cannot eat beef if they want to. This is Indian secularism.
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Mar 05, 2015 07:32am
stop killing animals
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Mar 05, 2015 09:39am
Pakistan is paranoid by this ban because Pakistanis thinking of migrating to India will have nothing to eat.
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Mar 05, 2015 10:43am
@lafanga more terrorists walking through pakistan streets
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Mar 05, 2015 10:50am
@syed wasim haider correct, give and take policy (respect) is the only solution for good and mature society
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Mar 05, 2015 10:53am
@Varun Proud Indian eating meat is not a sign of being liberal. ..scientifically it has been proven that if the whole world becomes vegetarian then it will reduce the production of greenhouse gases a lot and will benefit the environment greatly
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Mar 05, 2015 12:25pm
@Awais Ali
if you are sensitive to pain of plants, then why not that of animals.
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