“Hindu
Community outraged at the killing of sacred cow in UK”
London, UK, December 14, 2007
Sudesh Gupta
Mr. Sudarshan Bhatia, president of The National Council of Hindu
Temples UK (NCHT) told our senior representative that the our
cow, named Gangotri was killed at the Bhaktivedanta
Manor by the RSPCA . We told RSPCA that that cow was sick with
few wounds but they insisted that the cow is suffering with disease.
Mr. Bhatia said:
- We told RSPCA that the cow was was being cared for by Temple
residents and visiting worshippers. First time we stoped them
to kill her but second time RSPCA came with police force and
gave her a lethal injection to put her down without our consent
- Our concern is that RSPCA has no right to kill our sacred
cow. They must had to proove that the cow was suffering with
disease from court orders.
The RSPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals)
began in 1824 as the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals. In 1822, Richard Martin MP piloted the first anti-cruelty
bill giving cattle, horses and sheep a degree of protection through
parliament.
As a charity will, by all lawful means, prevent cruelty,
promote kindness to and alleviate suffering of animals. The
RSPCA intends to achieve its mission by effecting strong branch,
regional, national and international organisations dedicated
to providing a public service, delivering effective relief of
animal suffering and enforcing the law. They reduce the harmful
impact of human activities on animals through education, campaigning
and the application of ethics, science and law. They are urging
that, save where the public benefit requires, humankind should
not intentionally cause suffering to any animal when it is not
for its own benefit, or cause suffering by neglect. This applies
whatever the animal, or the situation in which it finds itself.
If you know about an animal that is injured or being treated
cruelly, call the RSPCA's national 24-hour cruelty and advice
line on 0300 1234 999.
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Also Read Email of Sanjay Jagatia,
General Secretary of National Council of Hindu Temples UK
“Hindu Community outraged at the killing of sacred
cow”
London, UK, 13th December 2007: The National Council of Hindu
Temples UK (NCHT) is shocked and outraged after a cow was killed
at the Bhaktivedanta Manor in Letchmore Heath, Watford - the largest
Hindu Temple in Britain, while worshippers were at prayer.
The cow, named Gangotri, a 13 year-old Belgian Blue and Jersey
cross, was killed at 9.00 am at the Bhaktivedanta Manor. The cow
was sick but had no disease. She was being cared for by Temple
residents and visiting worshippers.
NCHT understands that the Police ushered away monks who were
in attendance of the sick cow, and the head farmer was kept talking,
while a lethal injection was given to the cow.
Sanjay Jagatia, General Secretary of NCHT said “Cows are
sacred to Hindus, and the killing of a cow is considered to be
an outrageous act. The RSPCA had committed a serious infringement
of the community’s right after giving a lethal injection
to the cow. According to reports, the RSPCA had been given a warrant
to gain access into the Manor and said that notifying members
of the Temple prior to administering the injection would have
been contrary to their aims”.
This is shocking and duplicitous behaviour" said Gauri Das,
the head of the community. "We have been deceived by those
who had given us their word. The killing was conducted despite
personal assurances given the previous day from RSPCA officers
and police that due to religious sensitivities no immediate action
would be taken to kill the cow. It was for this reason that, the
previous day, the RSPCA together with local Hertfordshire police,
had visited the Temple and engaged in lengthy discussions with
us. They expressed their sensitivities, and the police gave us
their assurances that we would be given time to pursue a legal
recourse."
The cow was sick but had no disease. She was being cared for
by Temple residents and visiting worshippers, and was being administered
pain relief.
Bhaktivedanta Manor, Letchmore Heath, Watford, runs 'The Cow Protection
Project' and allows old cows and bulls to die naturally.
Head Farm Manager and former Royal Marine Stuart Coyle explained:
"Gangotri was unable to walk, but due to her condition there
was some tolerable discomfort".
Sudarshan Bhatia, President of NCHT concluded “we appeal
to the Hindu community across the UK to show their support and
raise their concerns of this despicable action by the Authorities.
NCHT will be raising this issue on behalf of all the Hindu Temples
across the UK, with the Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP-Secretary of State
for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, sympathetic MPs, the
Head of DEFRA and the RSPCA”.
Sanjay Jagatia
sanjay.jagatia@ntlworld.com
0780 5054776
UK
