EAT THIS, NOT THAT

1944 The British ban the slaughter of young, healthy cows— prefiguring the restrictions that apply in states where there’s still no absolute ban

1950 Support for a ban on cow slaughter is included in the Constitution

1958 The Supreme Court says cow slaughter bans don’t infringe on Muslims’ rights—they can sacrifice goats or camels for Id

1996 McDonald’s enters India with promise not to serve pork or beef

2015 Haryana bans export of cows for slaughter and sale of beef, but no ban on beef consumption

2017 Air India stops nonveg meals in economy class on domestic flights. Sikkim makes cow slaughter a non-bailable offence

1945 Mohandas K. Gandhi famously says, ‘I would not kill a human being for protection a cow’, and ‘I will not kill a cow for saving a human life’

1950-1978 Ban on slaughtering young, healthy cows enacted in every state, except Kerala and some in Northeast

1982

PM Indira Gandhi asks 14 states to ensure ban on slaughtering young, healthy cows is not circumvented

2011

Gujarat criminalises transport of cows for slaughter. In 2017, 14-year jail term introduced

2016 Bombay HC says eating or possessing beef is legal under Article 21 of Constitution

2018 Indian Railways proposes veg meals on Gandhi Jayanti. Plan put on hold after media criticism