Beef ban

The central government has recently issued an order to ban all sales of cows except to farmers. The given order cane as a result of increasing crimes by cow vigilance. India is a secular democracy and in a democratic set up, a government cannot order or restrict the food habits of the citizens. In a secular country, the majority cannot dictate the rules of governance based upon religion. A ban on a particular type of food affects the food chain causing imbalance in nature. A ban on sale of cow not only effects the farmers, beef consumers but also leather and allied industries. Even the farmers with old and ailing cows are left burdened with the responsibility of am animal that can do them no good.
Every individual has a right to decide what he wants to eat and the government has no right to dictate the same. Government cannot restrict food the way it can restrict harmful products. Food choices depend upon a person's cultural background and are often individual in nature. Government has no place in someone's kitchen. Government can make rules to control tobacco or narcotics consumption because they are harmful products. But definitely it cannot decide to ban a particular food item which is a good source of protein. India is a country where fifty percent of women in child bearing age are anemic and a majority of children are malnourished. In such a situation, banning a source of protein is not only myopic but also a bad policy decision. Religion cannot take precedence when the future of health of the country is concerned.

Why secularism?

Secularism is often considered to be the absence of religion but in reality it only means that religion shall not interfere with thebpublic life. It is a separation between the religion and the government. It simply means that while a private individual is free tonpractice whichever religion he wishes, the public office shall not have any religion. It means that the country shall not promote one religion at the expense of other nor will it demote another and punish its adherents.
Secularism ensures that religion will not interfere with a country's governance. By adopting secular values, a country ensures that the principles of religion shall not dictate the policies of that country. It means that a country shall not interfere with the relationship between its citizens and whichever god they choose to follow, if at all. Secularism ensures that the minority group will not be persecuted but rather protected to safeguard its own traditions and culture. Secularism helps protect customs and languages from being washed away in the tide of the majority.
Secularism is essential because in a plural society it is important that the principles of equality are practiced to their core. It is important to protect the munorities from being persecuted. Without secularism, a country cannot protect the most vulnerable groups in its land. Secularism ensures that a country is just and fair in all its dealins.