View this email in your browser May 17, 2017 ... they're all in today's Tiffin. Lots to munch on in this five-course meal. CENTRE'S BEEF WITH BEEF



Critics called the move undemocratic, unconstitional and surmounting to a While the government hasn't technically banned cattle slaughter across the country, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Rules 2017 (issued this Tuesday) have added strict regulation to livestock markets. Within three months, each animal market across the country is required to have its own 'Animal Market Committee' consisting a veterinary officer, a Tehlisdar, a forest ranger, a police inspector among several other officials. Cattle (defined by the notification as "a bovine animal including bulls, bullocks, cows, buffalos, [...] includes camels") slaughter will be banned in the markets, and cattle sale will be restricted to agricultural purposes. All traders looking to purchase cattle will have to prove their status as an agriculturalist by providing revenue documents (land records/tax returns), and additionally sign a declaration stating "I promise not to re-sell the cattle for slaughter" that will be retained for six months.Critics called the move undemocratic, unconstitional and surmounting to a virtual beef ban . Kerala Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said , "rules on cattle slaughter and trade are part of the Centre's effort to further RSS agenda in the country", and will be taking the Centre to court over the new rules. MAKE (WEAPONS) IN INDIA In a move to boost the Make in India initiative, the Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved a policy providing preference to domestically manufactured goods for government procurement, and a "strategic partnership" model under which select private firms would be engaged to build military platforms. Currently, India stands as the largest importer of arms in the world. Under the new approach, Indian companies will be shortlisted and then picked to collaborate with foreign counterparts in the defence sector. The cabinet’s approval comes just days ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to strategic partner countries including Germany, Spain and Russia. DOLLA DOLLA BILL, Y'ALL On Wednesday, the Union Cabinet approved dismantling the Foreign Investment Promotion Board which was an inter-ministerial body responsible for processing foreign direct investments (FDI) in eleven sectors. FDI proposals will now be cleared by the ministries and departments concerned in these sectors, in an effort to increase market liberalisation. THE TWO-PARTY EVM CHALLENGE Only the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) will be participating in the EVM challenges announced by the Election Commission (EC) last week. Rashtriya Janata Dal's application was rejected by the EC since their email came in nine minutes after the deadline of 5 PM on Friday. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Indian National Congress found the terms and conditions of the challenge too stringent and refrained from participating; The EC had termed AAP's request for allowing modifications to the motherboard of the EVM "implausible and irrational". The challenges, initally planned to be held over five days, will now conclude in just four hours. SOCIAL MEDIA BACK IN KASHMIR

Although there has been no official communication on the curbs being lifted, 20+ social media and messaging platforms (including Facebook, Whatsapp, Twitter, Youtube) were accessible again in the Kashmir Valley this Friday. The sites were blocked amid protests for “one month or till further orders” through an order issued on April 26. Kashmiris can finally join the discussions on cow slaughter and Dhinchak Pooja. Meaty reads for your weekend... "[Kashmiri] Pandits began to feel a kinship with the Hindu forces who sympathised with their increasingly marginalised existence in the Valley" but find their obsession coming under strain – the love for meat.

Read what Mahatma Gandhi said to those who wanted beef banned in India. Tiffin is independent, free and relies on word-of-mouth; tell a friend if you like the emails. Have a great weekend!

