Beef Has Been Banned In Maharashtra, And Anyone Selling It Can Go To Jail For Five Years

    Sale and possession of beef are now criminal offences, with the offender receiving up to five years of incarceration and having to pay a fine of Rs. 10,000.

    Andre Borges
    by Andre Borges

    BuzzFeed India Contributor

    President Pranab Mukherjee has given his assent to the Maharashtra Animal Preservation Bill (which was originally introduced in 1995) which effectively bans beef in Maharashtra.

    Scott Olson / Getty Images

    In Maharashtra, beef served has typically been made from bullock meat, as the slaughtering of cows was banned in 1976, under the Maharashtra Animal Preservation Act. However, with this new act, the slaughtering of bulls and bullocks is now also banned and punishable by five years imprisonment.

    However, in accordance with the new act, the slaughter of water buffaloes – whose meat is used to produce carabeef – will still be allowed. According to the Indian Express, beef traders have stated that thousands will be left unemployed due to this new legislation, and the cost of meat will also increase in the state.

    Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis tweeted his gratefulness to the president for signing off on the bill:

    Devendra Fadnavis @Dev_Fadnavis

    Thanks a lot Hon President Sir for the assent on MaharashtraAnimalPreservationBill.Our dream of ban on cow slaughter becomes a reality now.

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    Mumbai based BJP MP Kirit Somaiya said:

    "This is a historic step, which has cultural as well as economic implications for the state. We had passed this Act when we were in power in 1995 and had sent it for the President's nod in 1996. Subsequent governments in the state, however, failed to do the needful to get the Bill implemented. We had promised in our manifesto to bring this Bill and we have managed to do it."

    Anyone found to have beef in their possession or found selling beef can be jailed five years and fined Rs 10,000. Many have been quick to point out that this punishment seems disproportionately severe.

    Aditya Paul @adityampaul

    5 years jail for eating #Beef but 2 for sexual harassment.Thanks for making me a bigger criminal than a sex predator @Dev_Fadnavis #BeefBan

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    In no time, #BeefBan became the number one trending topic in the country.

    Twitter

    Several Twitter users have shown their disapproval for the decision, including some celebrities:

    Arjun Kapoor @arjunk26

    So we can't think what we want. We can't speak what we want. We can't do what we want and now we can't eat what we want...YAY democracy!!!!!

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    Rohan @mojorojo

    Ridiculous. Just ridiculous. Maharashtra bans beef, with jail/fine for possession http://t.co/kwU2STFopM

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    Ashwin Mushran @ashwinmushran

    In a one stroke @Dev_Fadnavis has opened up a black market economy... Also, who are you to tell me what I can or cannot eat? #Beef

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    Sunchika Pandey @SunchikaPandey

    Excuse me! We live in a democratic country (almost) U can choose to or not to eat beef! Make ur choice. Don't choose for others #BeefBan

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    Amba Azaad @AmbaAzaad

    14. Understand that disgust to smell, sight and taste of meat are learned cultural responses, not biological instincts. Unlearn them.

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    That Goan Boy @schmmuck

    Once again, the man telling us what we should and what we shouldn't eat. This aggression will not stand ...man ! #BeefBan

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    Ramesh Srivats @rameshsrivats

    In Maharashtra, all chicken, goats and sheep are currently thinking - Why do gais have all the fun? #BeefBan

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    IMSSG @soumyasghosh

    Be a female - Get aborted. Get raped. Get molested. Get killed. Get harassed. Be a cow- Be worshiped. Welcome to INDIA #BeefBan

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