Bans are negative action and may have an adverse effect. Reports indicate that prohibition in Bihar is leading to increasing drug addiction. It is an unfortunate fact that some bans have a populist appeal. Advocacy of vegetarianism or non-drinking may be the view of a group of people and perhaps not without reason. But unless the persuasive social ideas to promote such beliefs are promoted, the mindset of people will not automatically change. The result can only be draconian legislation or in extreme cases lynching by mobs. There is contradiction in the policy of the BJP. A section is staunchly against cow slaughter but the same party allows it in the North eastern States such as Nagaland, Mizoram and Meghalaya. In some other BJP ruled states cow slaughter can even legally lead to hanging. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat is unable to reconcile the contradictory attitudes. He wants a ban on cow slaughter countrywide but has denounced vigilantism by gau-rakshaks.
The meat business in Uttar Pradesh is still in a mess. Even transportation by buffaloes is at a standstill. 30,000 jobs have been lost so far. Poor farmers do not know what to do with their unproductive cattle. Loan waiver will not be the only answer to their distress. A BJP functionary wants to impose compulsory vegetarianism in Hoshangabad. The RSS will do well to buy unproductive cows from farmers and provide them shelter. It should collect the necessary resources from voluntary donors. In any event, the country has enough problems weighing with it and should not be preoccupied with such pseudo religious fads.
