Karnataka Anti-Cow Slaughter Bill: A Denial of Right to Nutrition https://www.thequint.com/voices/opinion/karnataka-anti-cow-slaughter-bill-a-denial-of-right-to-nutrition#read-more SYLVIA KARPAGAM 11 Dec 2020
15 percent (or 180 million) Indians consume beef. This includes Dalits, Muslims, Christians and Adivasis.
the anti-cow slaughter Bill, which the Karnataka government has passed with great urgency, without even a pretence at the due process of democratic consultation, particularly with those who will be the most disaffected by this law.
Denial of Basic Nutritional Rights: 39 percent children, especially those from the Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities, are stunted (less height for age) while 40 percent are undernourished (less weight for age). Anemia is found in 56 percent of the children before starting their school life at six years.
during the lockdown, all animal sources of food had been withdrawn from the mid-day meal for children. As a consequence, malnutrition in the state is going to increase even further, with a resurgence of several serious nutrition deficiency diseases, complicated by breakdown of regular immunisation during lockdown.
during the lockdown, all animal sources of food had been withdrawn from the mid-day meal for children. As a consequence, malnutrition in the state is going to increase even further, with a resurgence of several serious nutrition deficiency diseases, complicated by breakdown of regular immunisation during lockdown.
Nutritional Benefits of Beef
containing all the nine essential amino acids
vitamin D
Beef contains heme iron, which is better absorbed than non-heme iron from plant foods – which has inhibitors like phytates, polyphenols, calcium and phosphates, etc.
Animal foods are the most abundant sources of zinc and lean red meat can give approximately 40 mg zinc/kg. Green leafy vegetables and fruits are the poorest sources of zinc with a concentration of <10 mg/kg.
Preformed Vitamin A has better bioavailability and are found in food from animal sources.
Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is found only in animal foods, particularly organ meats.
Attack on Cultural Eating Habits
While on the one hand farmers face the prospect of economic downturn because of the anti-cow slaughter Bill, extortion, harassment and exploitation by vigilante gangs are also being enabled by the government.