“Holy cow!”: A case study of cow smuggling in India and its relevance for international animal laws

Abstract

<p>Hinduism is the largest religion in India making up for almost 79 percent of the country’s population. In Hinduism, specifically, the cow is considered sacred, and the consumption of the beef is often entirely avoided and even forbidden by some religious leaders. The limited beef industry in India has, however, led to an underbelly of activities involving dangerous and illegal trade and slaughter of India’s holy cows, including smuggling and theft across the border to its neighbouring countries (Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Nepal). In 2015 it was estimated that around 60,000 cows are smuggled across the border from India to Bangladesh alone. This continues to contribute to a range of historically based geopolitical implications. Using a case study method, this paper explores the issue of cow smuggling in South Asia as a basis for examining and understanding international laws in place for the protection and welfare of animals. </p>