Tensions over cows and buffaloes: India’s complex cattle controversy
SHAH ALAM – Cows are controversial in India, often igniting controversy and triggering intricate disputes between Hindu majority and Muslim minority, with the latter viewing the acrimonious strife as somewhat of a masked hypocrisy.
The contention on the supposed duplicity of the sacredness of cattle was remarked on by Bihar-born Mohamad Sohaib of the Al Imdaad Charitable Trust (AICT), who pointed out India’s status of being one of the largest meat exporters in the world.
“The Hindus, they believe that cows are their god, their godmother and must never be eaten,” said Sohaib in an episode of Sinar Daily’s Fireside Chat.
Killing or mistreating cows is considered sacrilegious by many Hindus, in fact the Indian Constitution allows for the prohibition of cow slaughter in many states which is problematic because the Muslim minority consumes beef.
“Because of cows, even if there is a transportation of cows, they will try to lynch us, they are trying to trouble it. They questioned why we are sacrificing cows in India. They feel like we are hurting their sentiments.
“But on the other side, India is a very big exporter of beef and all the exporters, the big ones, are all non-Muslims but they do not see that part,” said Sohaib, adding that prior to the past 10 years, Muslims were able to consume beef comparatively easier than the present.
According to the latest available 2022 statistics from the United States’ Foreign Agricultural Services, India was the fourth largest beef exporter in the world, trading a total of 1,263,719.67 tonnes which accounted for 11.88 per cent of global beef export.
The religious tension in India, claimed Sohaib, began to fester, and swell as a result of being fanned by “some select few” holding the most political power in the country.
In a 2022 report, the Panel of Independent International Experts highlighted that there was indeed a serious violation of the human rights of the Muslim minority in the country since 2019.
The Panel – led by renowned international law experts – further found that some violations may amount to crimes against humanity, war crimes and incitement to commit genocide.
