<p>Cows are a sacred animal in India, a majority Hindu country. But the western state of Maharashtra has gone one step further in protecting the animals: it has banned beef entirely. Under a new law, even the possession or consumption of beef is punishable by a fine or up to 5 years in prison. Economic analysts say the move is making tens of thousands of people jobless in an industry that employs almost 15 million people. Our correspondents report.</p><br />Programme prepared by Josh Vardey and Elise Duffau<br />http://www.france24.com/en/reportages<br /><br />Visit our website:<br />http://www.france24.com<br /><br />Like us on Facebook:<br />https://www.facebook.com/FRANCE24.English<br /><br />Follow us on Twitter:<br />https://twitter.com/France24_en
