In a nation where cows are the national animal and also revered as gods in Hindu mythology, beef consumption is still largely a hush-hush affair. For generations, it has remained a sensitive subject, not simply in the culinary sense, but in its scarcity and social taboos.
With more than 80% of the population identifying as Hindu, reverence for the cow runs deep with roots in Vedic tradition. The animal is not only sacred in Hindu belief systems for its purity but is also enshrined as the national animal in Nepal’s 2015 Constitution, which prohibits its slaughter.
Take Tihar, the second biggest Hindu festival, for example; the third day of the festival is dedicated to honouring cows with garlands and offerings.
Clash in Cultures and Food Traditions
But this national reverence is not a general representation of all communities. For many Adivasi Janajatis and other indigenous groups, beef has long been a part of cultural and religious practice. These communities often face a quiet dilemma when navigating the fine line between state law and traditional customs.
While public discourse about caste-based food restrictions has loosened over the years, beef remains a taboo subject, shrouded in silence and discretion.
Historically, food in Nepal has marked more than nutrition, representing a symbol of caste and class. The Muluki Ain of 1854, Nepal’s first civil code under the Rana regime, formalised these superficial divides.
Higher-caste Hindus, especially Brahmins and Chhetris, considered the “wearers of holy cord” (tagadharis), were barred from consuming certain meats. Whereas “Matwalis—‘enslavable alcohol’ drinkers”—continued their own food traditions, which incorporated buffalo and beef.
Buffalo meat, for example, persists as central to Newa rituals, even as upper castes have long viewed it as impure. Even within the Newa community, buffalo meat consumption is often frowned upon by higher-caste segments, with goat meat more socially acceptable.
Quiet Consumption and Unequal Enforcement
Despite prohibitions, beef is still consumed, albeit behind closed doors. Many ethnic groups in the hills and mountains continue to eat it as part of their customs. But the enforcement of the cow slaughter ban is inconsistent.
In rural areas, arrests and social backlash are more common. In urban settings, especially in restaurants catering to non-Hindus or foreigners, beef can quietly make its way onto the menu—often without incident.
In August 2023, a livestream went viral showing two individuals in Dharan, a city in Eastern Nepal, eating beef to celebrate their release from jail, where they had been held for slaughtering a bull. The incident considered “the beef debate” sparked outrage, especially among already agitated Hindu groups where tensions were still brewing over an unresolved matter of a church that was built near a Hindu temple. In response to the rising concern, authorities deployed over 1,500 security personnel and restricted access to the city, successfully dodging potential large-scale violence and religious conflict.
Following the incident, within weeks, at least seven churches were vandalised across Lumbini Province. Christian leaders condemned the attacks, saying the video was being used to stoke religious hatred. Ethnic forums defended the video as a symbolic protest against the laws that they believe to have suppressed indigenous rights. For them, beef is more than meat—it is tied to identity, belief, and resistance.
The ongoing debate has even gone global. Two Nepali civil society organisations filed a complaint with the United Nations, arguing that the cow slaughter ban violates the cultural rights of indigenous people and highlights the state’s selective law enforcement. They point out that while the nation proclaims secularism in its constitution, the continued ban reflects a Hindu-centric legal framework.
Secularism and Hindu Nationalism
Nepal under monarchy was once a Hindu kingdom where the king was seen as a divine figure and the state majorly promoted ideal Hindu values. For instance, King Mahendra promoted the ideology of unity with the concept of “ek raja, ek desh, ek bhasa, ek bhesh” (one king, one state, one language, one dress).
Cows, as sacred animals in Hinduism, were protected by law, and their slaughter was strictly prohibited. For years, this shaped national identity and controlled marginalised communities who didn’t follow Hindu customs—especially indigenous groups.
In 2006, after a decade-long civil war and political revolution, Nepal adopted secularism. The constitution officially made the country a secular state in 2008, ensuring equal respect for all religions.
The 2015 Constitution under Article 4 defines “secular” as “religious, cultural freedoms, including protection of religion and culture handed down from time immemorial”. It balanced religious freedom and protection of “sanatan dharma”, primarily based on Hinduism.
But even with secularism, the influence of Hindu values remained ingrained in policy, politics and people. The 2015 constitution continued the ban of cow slaughter. Yes, beef consumption is “legal”; however, with the ban on slaughter, the food industry (only some restaurants) needs to rely on imports.
Some political parties and groups still continue to push to restore the country’s status as a Hindu state. Their growing support has fuelled Hindu nationalist sentiments, often clashing with the secular promise of religious and cultural freedom. Former and current leaders have publicly supported Hindu causes, and there is increasing pressure from groups in both Nepal and India to reverse secular policies.
The Evolving Food Landscape
Due to tourism and diverse food cuisine, it’s not uncommon to find beef on select restaurant menus or behind grocery store counters in the capital city, but always discreetly. Most consumers keep their choices private, not only because of fear of the law alone but also to avoid social judgement and stigma.
Food, once a visible indicator of caste and class, now also reflects economic privilege. Upper-class families, regardless of caste, increasingly consume “taboo” items like buffalo or pork. With beef, however, the stakes are higher, especially when cultural identity, religion, and politics intersect in complex ways.
Food habits are changing across Nepal. Once considered “poor man’s grains”, like millet and buckwheat are now embraced by urbanites seeking healthier diets. But beef doesn’t enjoy the same rebranding. It remains loaded—with meaning, shame, and resistance.
Critics argue that the laws reflect not a secular state but one where Hindu values remain dominant. For Adivasi Janajatis, the inclusion of the cow as a national animal contradicts the spirit of religious freedom promised in the Constitution. While debates around food might seem symbolic, they speak deeper questions about inclusion, power, and representation.
As Nepal evolves into a modern, multi-ethnic republic, questions around food freedom and cultural respect are rising. Can a nation that champions diversity continue to enforce food laws rooted in religious belief? Or will it find a way to honour all its citizens, regardless of what’s on their plate?
Sudipa Mahato is a junior editor with Nepal Connect.
