ANALYSIS
When passion is allowed to override planning, be prepared for the unexpected
First, the caveat. This analysis is not meant to hurt the sentiments of any community. It is to present scenarios which should be considered seriously.
Now the analysis.
True, India is the world #1 in both milk production and cattle population (http://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-the-cow-jumps- over-the-moon-1810578 and http://www. dnaindia.com/moneycomment_strategic - advantage-verghese-kurien-style_1801912).
But there is a story that some milkmen occasionally narrate in Anand, Gujarat — the epicentre of India’s milk revolution. They speak wistfully about strange developments that have overtaken much of Western India.
Seventy years ago, almost all the cowherds in Western India were Hindus. They and their cattle got along beautifully.
Of course there were times when a calf, an old cow or bull, was not wanted. Maybe, the farmer had enough calves; or did not need a male calf; or the animal had grown old and unproductive. At that time, the farmer would sadly sell it to a trader. Especially if the cow had completed its 7th or 8th lactation cycle. That is when the milk slows or stops, medical bills and the cost of fodder multiply.
The trader sold the female calf to any farmer who wanted a milch cow. The male calf was sold to someone who wanted a bull — either to mate with his cows, or to drive his cart and plough. If nobody wanted it, or the animal was old, the trader sold it to the butcher. This was the way things had been done for centuries.
Then came laws declaring slaughter of cows illegal. Guilt, and the new laws, made many Hindus abandon the rearing of cows. It was safer to keep buffaloes instead. There were no restrictions on slaughter here. Moreover, buffalo-milk had a higher fat content; thus fetched a higher price. Hence, the flexibility that farmers enjoyed with cows for centuries was now extended to buffaloes.
Two things happened thereafter. First, the population of cows as a percentage of total cattle began diminishing. Second, unlike the past when most cowherds in Western India were Hindus, the last seven decades have seen more Muslim cowherds. Most carriers of milk, however — to the houses of people who still want cows’ milk fresh — remain Hindus.
There were other consequences. Gradually, the Muslims (and the Parsis) became active in the veterinary trade and a good chunk of the pharmaceutical business too slipped into the hands of non-Hindus. The law of unexpected consequences was at work. When rules are brought in without much planning or understanding, the consequences are often unexpected and far-reaching.
The part about Muslim cowherds outnumbering Hindus remains apocryphal; the livestock census does not capture this information. But the decline in cow population — especially in states where there is a strict ban on slaughter of cows and their progeny — is well documented.
The 19th Livestock Census data shows cow population diminishing in states that rigorously enforced the ban (see table). The sole exceptions appear to be Jammu & Kashmir (it is difficult to enforce the law in Muslim dominated Kashmir) and Himachal Pradesh where the (same) law is not as rigorously implemented as in Haryana or Punjab.
Rajasthan is a borderline case, because the ban was introduced only in 1995. In Maharashtra it was enforced only in 2015. Expect cow numbers to decline in these states as well.
Across India, however, the percentage of cows is higher — at 63.7%. But that is because states that do not rigorously enforce such a ban — or allow for conditional slaughter (the trade knows how to exploit loopholes) — have more cows. It is 70% in Madhya Pradesh; 62% in Bihar. It is well over 90% in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Kerala and other North-eastern states (including Assam).
Incidentally, cows are regarded as sacred in other countries as well — notably those that embraced Buddhism, which venerates cows. Hence China, Japan, Sri Lanka and Myanmar revere the cow. Chinese traditional medicine — even till today — does not allow the use of beef (unlike as in India where certain schools, especially in Kerala, occasionally use beef).
But Japan abolished the slaughter ban in 1872, and other countries have gradually eased controls on cow slaughter. For instance, in May 2013, a monk immolated himself in Sri Lanka to compel the government to take back exemptions given to minority communities to slaughter cows. The laws remained unchanged.
In India, the slaughter ban could trigger farmer resentment — especially when saddled with starving cattle during drought or unseasonal rains. Moreover, with artificial insemination and tractors becoming popular, the bull has become increasingly irrelevant. Obviously, farmers with male calves will be resentful. Giving them a cash compensation is risky. It could trigger counter-protests because such support should be given first to humans, then to animals. Moral: When passion is allowed to speed ahead of planning and policy, expect the law of unintended consequences to kick into place.
The author is a consulting editor with dna
IND vs AUS 1st Test: Predicted playing XIs, Perth weather forecast and pitch report
IND vs AUS: When will Rohit Sharma join India squad? Check latest update
Delhi Air Pollution: Centre announces staggered work timings for govt employees; check details
Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Jio loses nearly 80 lakh subscribers in just 30 days, BSNL adds...
IND vs AUS, 1st Test Dream11 prediction: Fantasy cricket tips for India vs Australia match
This country has most expensive passport in world, not US, UK, UAE, it costs Rs...
Amid rising air pollution, Delhi-NCR's crematorium records cleanest air; check AQI here
Revolutionising Medical Imaging: Venudhar Rao Hajari’s impact on healthcare technology
Abhishek Gupta and Onevision Media: Scaling brands on social media
Video shows Korean girl eating jalebi for first time, her reaction to Indian sweet goes viral
Cristiano Ronaldo confirms THIS YouTube star as his next guest, says, 'Will break Internet'
Delhi Assembly Elections: AAP releases first list of 11 candidates for 2025 polls
Adani Group's FIRST REACTION after US indicts Gautam Adani in alleged bribery case
Instagram introduces new feature, know how to reset app's algorithm, change your feed
Oppo Find X8 and X8 Pro launched in India, check specifications, price, other details
Charges against Gautam Adani: BJP's scathing attack on Congress, questions timing of development
Jasprit Bumrah's BIG statement on taking up Perth test captaincy, says, 'tactically better...'
Blackout on breaks: Company imposes no-sick-leave policy until 2025
Drug-laden terrorists on India's western, northern frontiers
Mohammad Shami trolls Sanjay Manjrekar over IPL auction bid prediction, says, 'Baba ki...'
IND vs AUS Test: When and where to watch 1st match of Border-Gavaskar trophy, know details here
CAQM amends Grap Stages III, IV, enforces stricter measures in Delhi-NCR amid air pollution woes
Malayalam actor Meghanathan passes away at 60 after suffering from...
Adani Green Energy's FIRST reaction after US indicts Gautam Adani in alleged bribery case
'Keep me out of...': Pakistani Instagram star Mathira on MMS leak controversy
Delhi Air Pollution: AQI marginally improves from 'severe' to 'very poor' category
'I love him, he loves me! Why hurt...': Rekha's bold confession about Amitabh Bachchan goes viral
Meet man, IITian who built Rs 5493 crore firm, has this Mukesh Ambani connection, he is from...
Shillong Teer Results TODAY November 21, 2024 Live Updates: Check winning numbers here
‘I didn’t have time to…’: When AR Rahman revealed having ‘agreement’ before marriage to Saira Banu
Viral video: Woman's sizzling belly dance to 'Namak' impresses internet, watch
Hardik Pandya banned, Mumbai Indians captain to miss first match of IPL 2025 due to...
Meet man who studied at IIM, IIT, then built Rs 1160000000 company, got inspired by…
Meet woman, who quit as dentist for UPSC exam, became IAS officer with AIR...
Viral video: Little girl steals hearts with her adorable dance to 'o meri cutie', watch
Gautam Adani's company signs another pact to acquire 100% stake in...
CBSE Date Sheet 2025 announced: Class 10, 12 board exams to begin from...
Apollena: Aditi Sharma on how space-based drama encourage young girls, says 'no matter how many...'
Is Mia Khalifa dating ex-Man City star Julian Alvarez? Former adult star says 'It certainly...'
IPL 2025 auction RTM rule: How this year’s right-to-match card is different from previous seasons
'Virat Kohli is trying to...': Shoaib Akhtar makes BIG statement on Champions Trophy 2025
Maharashtra Election 2024: Mukesh Ambani and family cast their votes in Mumbai
Centre revises performance-linked incentive scheme for THESE employees; check details
Manipur violence: Prohibitory orders to be relaxed in Imphal Valley for 7 hours
Jharkhand Exit Poll Results 2024: 36-41 seats predicted for BJP, JMM to secure…
Elon Musk faces big threat after million of users switch from X to Jack Dorsey's Bluesky
ICC Rankings: Hardik Pandya reclaims No. 1 T20I all-rounder spot, Tilak Varma enters top 10
DNA Verified: Is retirement age for central govt employees increasing to 62? Know truth here
Android 16 preview unveiled by Google: Who can access it? Here's all you need to know