To Beef Or Not To Beef

Is Existence of Holy Cow in Danger

Can a whole country be caught in the frenzy of an issue as to what people should eat and what not? An election can be contested and won if cards are played properly on this issue.

Swami Yukteshwar Giri in his highly acclaimed book “The Holy Science” has scientifically drawn the inference  that human anatomy is similar to frugivorous animals. It is unnatural for human beings to be non-vegetarian.

Vegans are strict vegetarians who do not consume any animal product including all dairy products. They even do not use any products made of leather, fur or horns of animals.

Having practiced Veganism for two decades, I found it helped in synchronising my heart, mind and soul with Ultimate source of energy. Peace transcended and heart was filled with love for all animate and inanimate objects.

How one religion can ban pork and other beef, if the ultimate objective of all the religion is same. They have their logic to support the belief, which may even be true, but how one religion can dictate followers of another to copy them.

Sofiya Rangwala on her Facebook account pleads “Pork is banned in all Muslim countries, no one has any objection. India is 80% Hindu country and if cow slaughter is banned here, everyone starts to object. Will beef consumers die if they didn't get beef to relish? It's high time that we started to respect the religious sentiments of the majority also, rather than always trying to appease the minority. Besides, banning cow slaughter from health perspective is also an invited decision by the Maharashtra gov. Same should be implemented all over India.”

Hinduism is third largest religion of the world. Jainism, Sikhism and Buddhism are also part of it. There is no Hindu nation in the world. Even Nepal has decided to be secular. Hinduism does not support and propagate conversion. All other religions have thrived on conversion by coercion or inducement.

Let us respect religious sentiments of all people. If Jain demand that during Holy days of Prajushan selling meat should be prohibited, then everyone should come forward willingly to cooperate. No intervention by court shall be required.

Shobhaa De has rightfully reacted “I just ate beef, come and murder me”.

Intolerance for others way of life is growing all over World. We cannot justify to accuse followers of one belief to appease others, who themselves have a history of fanaticism and vandalism.

Every Hindu has his own answer to the question "Why cow is holy? Why Hindu call her mother? Is only Indian cow holy or all cows all over world are holy?

Except States like Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Mizoram, Sikkim, Tripura and Uttarakhand, 24 states have imposed ban on beef.

Kerala is the largest beef consuming state and India is second largest beef exporting country in the world after Brazil. Though that beef is said to be of buffalo and not cow.

There are not enough sheds to take care of ailing, nonproductive, aged cows. Even the milking cows are pushed in the streets by their owners. They loiter in the streets and main roads to eat leftovers and garbage thrown by households. Fatal road accidents take place not only in cities and but also on national highways due to these stray animals. Some people are injured or killed by sharp horns of cows in the narrow streets of towns of India.

When a cow dies the people of untouchable caste are summoned to remove carcass.

Due to huge import and high yielding hybrid cows, many native species of cow have become extinct and many more are rapidly becoming endangered. The milk of desi cows is far more superior in quality than imported or hybrid cows.

Though it is different issue how holy mother is treated in India.

 © Vipin Behari Goyal

Advocate, Rajasthan High Court, Jodhpur, India