Beef Ban & Liquor Prohibition Will Hurt Indian Economy: Adi Godrej

Adi Godrej believes that bans and prohibitions will adversely impact economic growth.

Adi Godrej, chairman of the $4.1-billion Godrej Group, is the first among major India Inc leaders to lend his voice against the beef ban and liquor prohibition in various states. In an interview with The Indian Express, Godrej said these bans have an adverse impact on the economy.

His comments come as the Modi government is about to complete two years in office, and several states are pushing for strict beef bans and liquor prohibition close to assembly elections.

India will remain the fastest growing economy in the world… India will gradually emerge as a strong developed country. Some of the things are affecting growth, for example, the ban on beef in some states. (This) is clearly affecting agriculture, affecting rural growth. Because what do you do with all these extra cows? It is also affecting business, because this was a good source of income for many farmers. So that’s a negative.

While applauding the Bombay High Court for its ‘good judgement’, Godrej said possession of meat cannot be termed as a crime.

Now the Bombay High Court has said that alright you can stop the slaughter of cows, but you can’t stop consumption. It’s silly to say that possession of meat, which is eaten all over the world, is a crime.

Godrej also called the liquor prohibition that was recently imposed in Bihar and Kerala “negative directions for political gains can affect the economy”.

Godrej is not the only one. DIPP Secretary Amitabh Kant and Chief Economic Adviser Arvind Subramanian earlier voiced their concerns on been bans in multiple states and the atmosphere of intolerance.

Amitabh Kant had asserted that people should be free to choose.

I believe we are in a democracy which allows people to decide what they want to say, which would allow people to decide what they want to eat. 

Amitabh Kant, Secretary, Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion

When asked if the beef ban would have any adverse impact on farmers’ incomes or on the rural economy, India’s Chief Economic Advisor Arvind Subramaniam said he would “Will lose my job if I speak on beef ban.”