Instead, it is creating a backlash, even among Hindu farmers. Indian farmers keep cows to produce milk, cheese and butter, but to harm or kill a cow, especially for food, is considered taboo by most Hindus. In the past, Hindu farmers would sell unproductive cows to Muslim traders and about 2 million of these would end up smuggled to Bangladesh for meat and leather. “My investment went down the drain after some stray cattle trampled and ate up the crop,” he said. Many farmers in Uttar Pradesh are now using barbed wire to stop animals from entering their farms, but that is expensive.

Source: bd News24 February 06, 2019 01:30 UTC