India's status as the world's second largest beef exporter and fifth biggest beef consumer could be in jeopardy following hints from the government in New Delhi that it is considering a national ban on cow slaughter.

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The cow is revered in India and supporters of the Hindu nationalist government led by Narendra Modi said the animal needed greater protection, despite the cost to the country's multi-billion-dollar beef industry.

The cow is considered sacred in Hindu culture, and many nationalist and religious groups believe they should be protected.

"Cow is mother. Cow is not an animal," spokesperson for the hardline religious group Vishva Hindu Parishad, Sampath Rai, said.

"Cow, it is the backbone of society. So it is not simple animal."

A woman spreads out fodder for rescued cattle at a cow shelter run by Bharatiya Gou Rakshan Parishad, an arm of Hindu nationalist group Vishwa Hindu Parishad. ( Reuters: Shailesh Andrade )

Laws exist against cow slaughter in some Indian states, but they have not always been implemented.

But since the election of popular Hindu nationalist prime minister Mr Modi last year, things have been changing.

Last month the state of Maharashtra extended its long-held ban on cow slaughter to include buffalo, which make up the majority of the beef consumed in and exported from India.

In that state, anyone caught selling or in possession of beef faces a five-year jail term and a $200 fine.

Two people have already been arrested.

The state government of Haryana had reportedly been considering making the crime of killing a cow akin to murder, which would attract a life sentence.

The country's home minister said the government could consider using its power to implement a national ban on cow slaughter, a move that could cripple the nation's beef industry.

ALM group beef exporter Tasneem Kamal said a national ban would lead to many thousands of job losses for those in the meat industry, as well as financial losses for already impoverished farmers.

"We are worried and we are highly concerned with the comment and the statement of [the] home minister," Mr Kamal said.

"The farmer also is directly engaged with the slaughterhouse. When the animal has stopped giving the milk to the farmer, they just go to the market and sell it out, so it will be heavy loss to the farmer also."

But Hindu hardliner and cow protectionist Mr Rai said that was irrelevant.

"Money is nothing."

The move is unsurprising from the Hindu nationalist government, but it might not be supported by voters who elected Mr Modi on the promise of creating more jobs for the common man, not taking them away.