Assam bans beef consumption in public: Where do other states in India stand?

Assam has banned the public consumption of beef, including at hotels, restaurants, and community gatherings. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the complete ban on Wednesday (December 4), saying the decision was taken after examining statements of some Assam Congress leaders.

Assam is not the only Indian state where beef is illegal. In fact, there are only a handful of states to allow the consumption of cattle.

Let’s take a closer look.

Assam bans beef

Assam has banned the consumption of beef in “hotels, restaurants, festivals, and community events”.

“There will be no serving of beef in religious, social, and other public functions, and this provision will be added to strengthen the Assam Cattle Preservation Act of 2021,” CM Sarma was quoted as saying by The Hindu.

The current law in Assam prohibits cattle slaughter and the sale and purchase of beef and beef products in areas “predominantly inhabited by Hindu, Jain, Sikh and other non-beef eating communities”, or “within a radius of 5 km” of any temple or sattra (Vaishnavite monasteries).

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आज असम मंत्रिमंडल ने राज्य के होटलों, रेस्टोरेंट्स और सार्वजनिक स्थानों पर गोमांस पर प्रतिबंध लगाने का निर्णय लिया है।#AssamBeefBan pic.twitter.com/Nhda2uQ3Gt

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) December 4, 2024

As per Indian Express, the Assam Cattle Preservation Act puts a blanket ban on cow slaughter but other cattle can be slaughtered on the issue of a “fit for slaughter” certificate.

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BJP leader Diplu Ranjan Sarmah defeated Congress’ Tanzil Hussain in the Samaguri Assembly by-election by 24,501 votes last month. The shock rout in the Muslim-dominated Samaguri Assembly constituency led Congress’ Dhubri MP Rakibul Hussain, Tanzil’s father, to allege that Sarma and the BJP had “betrayed” the Hindutva they claim to champion by “offering beef” and “pursuing Bengali Muslim voters”, reported Indian Express.

While announcing the ban, CM Sarma, as per The Hindu, told journalists, “Over the last few days, Bhupen Borah [Assam Congress president] and Rakibul Hussain expressed concerns over beef consumption and gave the impression that they do not want beef to be consumed. The Cabinet analysed their statements and found that our Act, although strong, did not have this provision.”

Which states allow beef?

Kerala and West Bengal have no restrictions on cow slaughter.

Cattle slaughter is allowed in the northeastern states of Arunachal, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim.

In Manipur, a 1939 decree passed by the then Maharaja prescribed prosecution for cow slaughter. However, beef is widely consumed in the state.

Where else is beef banned?

Cow slaughter is illegal in northern states, including Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat.

In Uttar Pradesh, the slaughter of cows, bullocks and ox is banned. Storing and consumption of beef are also not allowed. However, buffaloes can be killed. Moreover, beef can be imported in sealed containers to be served to foreigners, as per Times of India (TOI).

Bihar bans the slaughter of cows, calves, bulls, bullocks and she-buffalo. However, the killing of bovines that are over 15 years old or disabled is allowed.

Maharashtra also bans the killing and consumption of meat of cows, bulls and bullocks. However, the slaughter of buffaloes is allowed.

Haryana has a blanket ban on the slaughter of cattle. In 2015, the state government passed a law banning cow slaughter and consumption of beef. Under this law, “cow” includes bull, bullock, ox, heifer, calf, and disabled/diseased/barren cows, as per Indian Express.

Haryana also bans the sale of canned beef and beef products, as well as the export of cows for slaughter.

Delhi bans cattle slaughter but buffaloes are not covered under the law.

Gujarat prohibits the slaughter of cows, calves, bulls and bullocks, as well as the transport and sale of their meat. The ban does not cover buffaloes.

Chhattisgarh has a blanket ban on the killing of cows, buffalo, bull, bullock, calf, and possession of their meat.

The killing of all bovines is prohibited in Himachal Pradesh, except for research purposes or if the animal is suffering from a contagious disease.

Jharkhand has banned the slaughter of all bovines as well as the possession and consumption of their meat.

The Orissa Prevention of Cow Slaughter Rules, 1966 makes cow slaughter a punishable offence. However, old bulls and bullocks can be killed subject to a fit-for-slaughter certificate, and in case of cows when it has a contagious disease.

Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh have imposed a complete ban on cow slaughter. In Rajasthan, transportation and possession of the flesh of “cow, calf, heifer, bull or bullock” is also prohibited. MP allows the slaughter of buffaloes.

Punjab bans cow slaughter, with “cow” including bulls, bullocks, oxen, heifers, and calves. Exporting cows is allowed but with government permission.

Slaughter of cow and its progeny is a punishable offence in Jammu and Kashmir.

In southern states, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana ban the slaughter of cows and calves. Bulls and bullocks can be killed on the issue of the “fit-for-slaughter” certificate.

In Karnataka , “slaughter of cow, calf of a cow or calf of a she-buffalo is totally prohibited”. Only bulls, bullocks, and adult buffaloes can be killed with a ‘fit-for slaughter’ certificate.

Tamil Nadu prohibits the slaughter of cows and calves.

In Puducherry, the slaughter of cows is prohibited, along with a ban on the sale and transport of beef.

With inputs from agencies