In 2021, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Assam had already banned the sale of beef and beef products in areas predominantly inhabited by non-beef-eating communities or near temples. This shows a clear intention to navigate the intersection of diet and religious beliefs, further emphasizing how these laws can reinforce societal divides within the community.
Caleb expresses frustration saying, 'The government is depriving me of my freedom to choose what I eat, and it deliberately attacks my dietary rights, which is not constitutional at all.' This illustrates the personal impact of government regulations on individual dietary choices and freedoms.
Beef consumption is a geographical and cultural divide in India; while it is largely absent in northern and central India, it is integral in states like Kerala and Goa. This regional disparity highlights the complexity of dietary norms and the socio-cultural fabric of India.
20 out of India's 28 states have various laws regulating cow slaughter, and the opposition of beef consumption reinforces the religious connotation tied to it. The political framing of such bans underlines the enduring clash between tradition and contemporary rights.
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