New Law Could Make Killing Cows Punishable By Death

<p> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sharadaprasad/2410031447">Flickr/Sharada Prasad CS</a> </p>
<p> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sharadaprasad/2410031447">Flickr/Sharada Prasad CS</a> </p>

A second Indian state is looking to ban beef and make the slaughter of cattle illegal, and possibly punishable by death.

Under the proposed bill, which the government of Haryana hopes to introduce during its upcoming budget session, people who kill cows would be punished under Section 302 of the Indian penal code, which usually deals with murder, according to CNN's INN Live. Currently, offenders of Section 302 are subject to death or imprisonment for life.

Flickr/Ross Huggett

Earlier this month, the Indian state of Maharashtra instituted a similar law, making the sale or possession of beef punishable by up to 5 years in prison. Cattle are already protected in many Indian states, due to the significant presence of Hindus, who view cows as sacred. The recent efforts to strengthen existing legislation have been initiated by India's leading political party, the Bharatiya Janata Party, which has ties to Hinduism.

Despite its large Hindu population, India is one of the world's largest producers of beef and leather. Though this bill's apparent penalties are extreme, increased legislation could be great news for India's cattle, many of whom experience terrible abuse.

"[Indian] Prime Minister Narendra Modi really is hurt with the fact that despite cows being sacred in our religion and society, we are one of the largest exporters of beef," Haryana education minister Rambilas Sharma told India Today.

Flickr/Sharada Prasad CS

India's beef bans aren't the only example of legislation protecting animals with an emotional significance for people. In the U.S., a number of states have laws banning the slaughter of horses for human consumption or the sale of horse meat, and a handful have made it illegal to eat dog or cat meat.

While India's beef bans are great news for cows, they're not good news for everyone; Maharashtra's poultry farms are reportedly gearing up for a busy season.