The northeastern Indian state of Assam has escalated its restrictions on beef consumption, prohibiting its public consumption in restaurants and at events. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the decision on Wednesday, building on an earlier law that restricted the sale of beef near temples and in areas predominantly inhabited by Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs.
While the new measure bans public consumption, individuals can still purchase beef from licensed vendors for personal use. This move has reignited debates about food regulations across India, where cows hold sacred significance for Hindus, who make up 80 percent of the population.
The decision comes amid growing trends across the country, where several states, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), have implemented stricter cattle slaughter laws in recent years.
