Indian state bans eating beef in public | Hacker News Reader

Indian state bans eating beef in public

bbc.com

16 pointsimpish920815 comments

From an abstract perspective, I guess that makes sense given local cultural norms? I don't think that many Americans would appreciate someone eating horse or dog meat in public even though that is normal in other countries.

On the other hand, I suppose one could see such bans as a symptom of rising Hindu nationalism at the expense of India's minority populations. That's definitely more concerning.

In the U.S. you've got a very loud minority that will call you a bigot and a racist for not accepting other people's cultural norms.

cultures can be objectively worse when it comes to outcomes for all humans who transport them. Also we are at a cultural lagrange point, were one set of screamers is out of air and the other cant terrorize you yet. might as well do something for science in that window.

Then again all hindus have todo to get away with that is having a reputation for violence. Middle east can ethnic cleanse every day noone bats an eye- unless its Israel ...

Why is this considered any different from restrictions on pork in Muslim countries and Israel.

Different animal and religion, yes, but similar though much limited restriction.

> Why is this considered any different from restrictions on pork in Muslim countries and Israel

Eating pork in public isn't banned in Israel.

Which cultural norms is this catering to? Certainly not the previous norm of pluralistic society where people could eat beef in public without government reprisal.

To nitpick, can't compare dog meat's acceptance in western society to Beef in Indian culture.

The Cow is revered at different levels in India. From a 'mother' to a 'diety'.

The comparator would be eating pork in a Islamic State.

In the multicultural society, we need tolerance. The ban on beef is not intolerance, but a form of tolerance. You are welcome to eat any meat, but beef. This is at best an inconvenience, but of great significance to Hindus.

This again brings up a similar topic of tolerance of intolerance.

Here is the bargain that exists in a multicultural, multilinguistic, multireligious society like India (There is no other country that comes even close) - We don't eat Beef or Pork. There, all accomodated, tolerated and agreed upon.

Simple social contracts work.

> The comparator would be eating pork in a Islamic State.

Not really. Mohammedans don’t revere the pig; they think it is filthy.

> The ban on beef is not intolerance, but a form of tolerance.

That’s nonsense on stilts. It is textbook intolerance.

Beef is an absolutely delicious meat (so’s pork too, by the way). Hamburgers, steaks, roast beef, beef stew, cottage pie: to a very great extent beef is what food is.

> I don't think that many Americans would appreciate someone eating horse or dog meat in public

I believe that it’s actually worse in America: to my knowledge, it is illegal to sell horse or dog meat at all in America. Which is intolerant and frankly stupid.

I love my dog, but it’s no skin off my back if someone else eats his.

India is a top 5 beef producer, exporter and consumer [1]. (On a per capita basis it's miniscule [2].)

Broadly speaking, vegetarianism increases as you go north. Assam is a northern state.

[1] https://www.iowafarmbureau.com/Article/World-Beef-Trade

[2] https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/beef-cons...

You really need to learn that the beef that India exports is largely Carabeef.

Buffalo meat.

If you had googled for it, you will find the following AI generated summary:

Carabeef is a meat that comes from the Asian water buffalo and is the primary agricultural export of India: Production India is the world's largest producer of carabeef. In 2023, India's carabeef production was estimated at 4.4 million metric tons (MMT). Exports In 2022, India exported 1.44 MMT of carabeef, which was 33% of its production. India is the fourth largest exporter of red meat in the world.

> If you had googled for it, you will find the following AI generated summary

I’m of Indian descent. I was in India a few weeks ago and am again in a few weeks. I also live in Wyoming, and so know a thing or two about ranching. Including the difference between beef from cows, steer and water buffalo.

> carabeef, which was 33% of its production

We’re on HN. Do we really need to play which number is bigger?

Most Indian beef is not from buffalo. And that which is isn’t exported. (Buffalo meat is commodity slop.)

How would the know what kind of meat it is? From afar a veggie patty can be indistinguishable from a meat patty.

Sounds more like taking chance to blame someone.

My guess it’s about the smell, not how it looks.

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