An attempt to politicize food

When the Livestock Bill of Bhutan 2025 was introduced in Parliament, there was a clear attempt by some MPs to politicize the issue.

The Bill is not encouraging slaughter houses but only retains the provisions of the old Bill that already permitted slaughter houses. The new bill was an attempt to better regulate slaughter houses ensuring hygiene and animal welfare.

The Bill was also much more then just about slaughter houses, but the majority of the discussions were around the slaughter houses.

It is ironical that the MPs who were having meat for lunch in the same Parliament, opposed the slaughter house provision and professed love for animals and brought up Buddhism and faith.

It was playing to the gallery and a clear attempt to play to religious sentiments and garner votes for the next election. 

However, if one follows the discussion on social media the majority of people saw through the ploy and lambasted MPs for discussing and blowing up an irrelevant issue when much bigger issues are affecting the nation.

Many pointed to the hypocrisy on display pointing out that as long as there is demand there will be killing of animals whether in Bhutan or India.

The 5th National Health Survey of 2023 found that 88.7% of Bhutanese consume meat and another 6.1% eat eggs leaving only 5.2% pure vegetarians.

Many pointed out that since so many Bhutanese consume meat it is better to know where our meat is coming from and ensure it is hygienic and safe.

A lot of people also questioned how a minority of vegetarians can dictate the diet choices of the majority.

Some even went to the extent of getting an Indian politician and animal rights activist to make a video message for Bhutanese to not eat meat and not have a slaughter house.

Be it for the environment or our own health, Bhutanese should cut down the consumption of meat, but this choice should be left to every individual Bhutanese and not be enforced by law.

As long as Bhutanese consume meat, it is the duty of any government to ensure the meat is secured in a humane and hygienic manner.

“Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.” – Leo Tolstoy