Pune Activists Expose the Dark Link Between Dairy and Beef Industries

Shivajinagar, 24th January 2026: As part of a nationwide Republic Day week campaign, youth activists in Pune organized a public exhibition on J.M. Road to highlight what they describe as a direct link between India’s dairy sector and the beef export industry. The initiative was led by the youth-led animal rights group Pune Animal Liberation at Chhatrapati Sambhaji Garden.

The exhibition focused on the claim that while India is the world’s largest milk producer, it is also among the leading exporters of beef. Citing government and international data, activists said India produces over 230 million tonnes of milk annually and exports more than 1.3 million tonnes of beef every year. According to the organisers, the dairy and meat industries function as part of the same economic chain.

Activists explained that once cows and buffaloes lose their milk-producing capacity or are no longer considered profitable, they are sold and diverted into the meat trade. “The dairy industry and the beef export industry are not separate entities. They are structurally connected,” organisers said.

They also pointed to the growing number of abandoned and injured cows seen on Pune’s streets as visible evidence of this linkage. Many of these animals, they said, are former dairy cattle that end up scavenging plastic and garbage after being discarded.

Animal rights activist Pravin said, “Many people don’t realise that cows seen roaming the streets after they stop giving milk often come from nearby dairies. To truly understand the connection between milk and meat, citizens should watch the documentary ‘Maa Ka Doodh’.”

Shweta Borgaokar, another activist, added, “There is a widespread belief that the milk and meat industries are separate. Data shows they are part of the same chain. Once animals stop being useful for milk production, they are pushed into the meat industry. Public awareness about this reality is essential.”

Chetan Shinde remarked, “Without the so-called ‘Pink Revolution’ of meat production, the ‘White Revolution’ of dairy cannot exist. Rising demand for milk creates animals whose responsibility ultimately falls on the slaughter industry. These two industries cannot be viewed in isolation.”

Organisers said similar exhibitions have already been held in Thane, Bengaluru, Jaipur and nine other cities. The campaign’s objective, they said, is to spark public debate and break the silence around the link between India’s dairy industry and the beef export trade.