India is a democratic country. Our constitution boasts of a salient feature called ‘secularism’. Therefore the government and the judiciary need to remain secular in its respective roles. Beef has better nutrition than chicken and mutton in terms of amino acids, fats and protein. It is the cheapest of all the meat available in the market and therefore beef ban is removing one’s affordable nutritional source from the food chain. Besides proteins, beef is also rich in linoleic and palmiotelic acids, which have strong anti-cancer effects and fights viruses and other pathogens that are present in the body.
The ban is a direct infringement on an individual’s personal freedom. It will also result in numerous people losing their jobs, while the businesses of many will suffer and eventually close down.
Eating beef is a matter of dietary choice, accepted by people from all over the world. The voice of the majority, no matter how loud it is, cannot be viewed as the voice of the nation.
Jubel D’Cruz, Mumbai
