In a nation which is yet to work on human welfare, the central government going ahead with a hard line stand in the name of animal welfare sounds ridiculous had it not been a cause of serious concern.

By equating ‘slaughter’ with cruelty and criminalising the trade and transportation of animals for slaughter at animal markets as an act of cruelty, the Central government has effectively enforced a country-wide ban on the slaughter of buffaloes and cattle, and the consumption of beef.

While it is about time and most conscientious citizens do endorse ethical treatment of animals but this ‘extraordinary’ notification on Tuesday, restricting the sale of cattle for slaughter in animal markets is also being seen as a Machiavellian plot to influence and curb food choices.

The new rules will stop all trade of bovines for slaughter and thus result in a complete drying up of buyers. And as for farmers – this means they will simply stop rearing bovines and turn their existing ones out to fend for themselves, as has indeed happened in states like Maharashtra with their recent ban on bullock slaughter. These abandoned bovines will just add to India’s teeming numbers of cattle identified as ‘strays’.

How does the government plan on addressing the teeming cattle population when it is unable to even provide basic amenities to its citizens?

Animal markets are crucial nuclei of the production cycle of animals, through which animals pass from farmers to others and vice-versa. These new rules effectively choke the free movement of animals via the market space and, more critically, completely undermine the freedom and rights of farmers, traders and all others whose livelihoods are linked to this production cycle, which ultimately is what sustains cattle of this country.

The right of farmers to life and livelihood is at stake: their dairy livelihoods and bullock-based agricultural livelihoods stand to be completely destroyed with this cruel law – cruel for farmers and cruel for animals.

The arguments put forth on how India’s beef drains resources are spurious, as our animals are primarily grazed and reared on minimal quantities of concentrate feed and provide us with milk, work, beef and leather. The government’s new ‘market trade blockade’ is bound to severely cripple both India’s dairying as well as beef industries.

With the food preferences of the majority of citizens who eat meat and a massive number of livelihoods at stake, this highly contentious interpretation of cruelty needs to be interrogated and challenged.

The government may think the decision is politically rewarding at a time of easy vigilantism. But there are economic implications across the board on exports, the environment, the rural economy – issues that should have been addressed before taking a hard line. (With Inputs)

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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