The recent killing of Gangotri, a cow from the Bhaktivedanta Manor near Watford, is yet another reason why Hindus must unite and speak out to preserve and protect our Dharmic values. The killing of Shambo the bull earlier last year sparked controversy amongst Hindus who felt that the Government and authorities simply ignored core Hindu beliefs and values.
We come to two conclusions from a Hindu perspective: the first conclusion is that the bull or cow has died in sacrifice, giving its life for the greater good of humanity and other cows and bulls. This can be felt as godly and we must honour and worship this sacrifice. An alternative conclusion is that the cow could have been saved through a variety of treatments, and that such an alternative was simply ignored and that more Hindu must unite to find a common ground for change and ultimate preservation.
Despite the results of both of these killings, the Government and the authorities responsible have failed to sufficiently understand the sensitivity of this issue. According to Hindu Dharma cows and bulls are significant and equal to humans, as are all living beings. We find it hurtful that they show no remorse for this sensitivity, nor show any attempt to work towards resolutions which may lead to more favourable outcomes in the future.
Sudarshan Bhatia, President of the National Council of Hindu Temples, says he wrote to the Prime Minister Gordon Brown 45 days ago asking to raise with him the sensitive issue of slaughtering temples cows and has yet to hear back from him.
“If this had been some other community, the Government would have rushed to find a solution. Just because Hindus are quiet, we are ignored, isolated and sidelined.”
“The impression we get is that those who shout the loudest or cause problems get immediate attention from this Government, while those who work actively to make community cohesion a reality get ignored,” explains Iswer Tailor, President of the Hindu Forum of Britain. “There has been a catalogue of issues that we have raised with the Government and they have ignored our concerns. Of course, there is a lot of lip-service, tokenistic meetings and assurances, but very little practical action follows. I know that our community is becoming increasingly restless with this government and wondering whether it is even worth continuing to engage with them.”
It is quite often said that on any political issue students usually hold firm stances that reflect the future of our generation. We as students should drive a democratic stand against the recent actions, albeit in a peaceful yet firm manner. We cannot guarantee that the Government will table justice for cows and bulls overnight but we can guarantee a sense of unification on a common issue and this will earn the respect on important Hindu issues.
On Wednesday 13 February there was a demonstration outside the Houses of Parliament against the killings of Gangotri. On the same day, the ashes of Gangotri were scattered in the river Ganga by Gauri Das, temple leader of Bhaktivedanta Manor. Visit www.justiceforgangotri.org for more detailed information.