HOLY COW!

Maharashtra bans beef, 5 years jail, Rs 10,000 fine for possession or sale

Let me tell you something. I dont eat beef. I dont live in Maharashtra. Or for that matter of fact, I dont have 10,000 Rs with me right now.

But this issue is of concern to me. A tiny little concern. The usual suspect strikes again - Facebook. Lots of memes(funny ones, mind you), stupid posts, offensive manipulations and so many other people asking around if they can still have beef in other parts of the country.

How did this issue become a sensation? This might not come as a surprise for many of you who read this, in India, if somebody farts (pardon my language) in Shimla, when it reaches Trivandrum, it becomes a religious issue, mostly. Caste based fights, linguistic violence are seasonal. They might tag along just to add the agitation.

India is a Hindu majority nation, like it or not. So many humans who live in the country follow certain set of principles. But THEY are not the only ones living in this country. Every citizen of our country has the basic right to vote. The citizens of our country select their representative irrespective of religion. This bunch of special selected people do the governing job as a whole, headed by the CM.
If the governing body ( which might consist of non-hindus too) come up with a law, dont you think there has to be some kind of sense to it? Would they even take a decision based only on religious sentiments? The fact that they had the guts to impose the law is admirable, although only time will tell if it is right or wrong. Let me remind you, I have nothing against beef lovers.

I have three reasons to prove my argument that this decision is independent of religion or caste:

1) Cows formed the core of our civilization. Ripe source of wealth. They are worth much more ALIVE than dead. Milk, ghee,butter, cow dung are a steady supply. Why would you kill a cow for meat if it can provide you more while it is alive? Also, all the cows are used for farming. So, ultimately we are going back to the basics. Agriculture, which was/is the backbone of our nation, is being promoted, indirectly.

2) People for Ethical Treatment of Animals - PETA, finds Jallikattu as cruelty to animals. Well, what about slaughtering a cow? You let an animal live and I believe it is a good thing. Makes sense? And most importantly, this DOES NOT affect the food chain. We do not survive on beef but depend largely on Cows.

3) Hinduism is largely misunderstood, by Hindus. That is the worst part. Cows were sacred largely because of economic factors and not because of sentiments. Cow sacrifice was a part of Harappa-Mohenjadaro civilization and subsequent eras. But also donating a cow to a poor person was considered to be the highest form of charity ("Ko Dhaanam"). Why? Economic reasons, again.
So, Hindus out there thinking that this law was implemented since you worship cow, YOU ARE WRONG. Get to know your religion before you start talking about others.

4)Lastly, red meat is dangerous to health. As simple as that. Tough to digest, tough to cook and not to mention, expensive. This comes as a blessing in disguise. Although, I am nobody to ask anybody to stop eating food of your choice. But just saying.

We all love our religion. But viewing all issues in religious aspects is like wearing same set of clothes for all sort of occasions. Eventually, everybody will find you crazy. Eventually.

I feel bad for all the Maharashtrians who cannot eat beef from now on. Hey, on the bright side, we have lots of other species on the planet to deplete. Let us spare the cows(for now).