The Sanctity of Life
The Tale of Gangotri
Reconciling wounds between the Hindu community and the RSPCA
Radha Mohan Das
Issue 21, Spring/Summer 2009
The Apology from the RSPCA issued on the one year anniversary of the killing of Gangotri 13th December 2008:
The RSPCA as a charity will, by all lawful means, prevent cruelty, promote kindness to and alleviate suffering of animals.
We share the above objective with the Hindu, Sikh and Jain communities and realise that these communities through their faith strive to live in harmony with all creatures.
The Society, recognising the hurt caused to the sentiments of these communities, and wishing to build a progressive relationship, apologises unreservedly for causing hurt and offence. The RSPCA is based on a profound respect for animals, something we share with the Hindu, Sikh and Jain communities and we look forward to working together to promote respect and caring, and to cherish all life.
Last February a beautiful female calf was born amidst tears of joy and a deep sense of relief. The birth represented the final chapter of what became known as the Gangotri Campaign, spurred on by an outraged Hindu community, ethnical farmers and sympathetic media across the world.
On December 13th 2007, in a shocking act, a veterinary surgeon escorted by three police officers entered into Bhaktivedanta Manor Hare Krishna Temple in Hertfordshire and secretly killed a cow.The cow, named Gangotri, a 13 yearold Belgian Blue and Jersey cross, was much loved by the community. Police restrained devotees who were in attendance of the sick cow, and the head farmer was kept talking while inside the barn a lethal injection was given.The killing was conducted despite personal assurances given from RSPCA officers and the police that due to religious sensitivities no immediate action would be taken.
Cows are revered by Hindus. The killing of a cow is considered to be an outrageous act: the killing of a cow at a temple amounts to religious sacrilege. In the Hindu scriptures known as the Vedas, the earth goddess known as Bhumi is described as having the form of a cow. Indeed, it is believed that there is a strong connection between man, the cow and the environment.
Indulekha, Gangotri and her mother Aditi
The concern of the Hindu community had been evidenced a few months previously by protests surrounding the case in which Shambo, a temple bull inWales, had been diagnosed with a notifiable disease, and was subsequently killed. Feelings were even stronger when Gangotri was killed however, because not only was there a lack of legal proceedings, but she had no disease. She was being cared for by temple residents and visiting devotees, and was being administered pain relief. The Temple farm allows old cows and bulls to die naturally, recognized in the tradition as a way of respecting the sanctity of life.
Head Farm Manager Shyamasundara das (Stuart Coyle) explained:“Gangotri was unable to walk and had bedsores, but she was certainly not suffering. In fact a top veterinary surgeon from Oxford had examined her and stated that she was improving, despite having been unable to walk for many months.When she first became sick we called our local vet and followed all the recommendations he directed. Along with allopathic treatments we had also administered a range of alternative treatments which include homeopathy, acupuncture, manipulation, massage, and reiki.”
Very soon after the killing of Gangotri, Hindu leaders and well-wishers from across England gathered at Bhaktivedanta Manor to express their outrage against the actions of the RSPCA and pledge their support. On that day the Gangotri Task Force was born, a team dedicated to bringing ‘justice to Gangotri’ by working to ensure such incidents do not happen again.This, they knew, would involve considerable campaigning and political lobbying.
On Boxing Day that year, hundreds of people held a peaceful protest with the traditional sound of cymbals and drums outside the RSPCA headquarters in Horsham, Sussex. Simultaneous prayers were conducted at Bhaktivedanta Manor. “In Hinduism, it is traditional that mourning extends for thirteen days, and a ceremony is held at the conclusion of that period,” explained Sruti Dharma, a senior priest at the Temple, “Boxing Day is thirteen days after Gangotri was killed.”
On 13th January 2008 hundreds of saffron-clad monks and campaign supporters chanted outside the Houses of Parliament and the DEFRA offices inWestminster, and a youth group performed an emotional drama.
In the meantime, Gangotri’s ashes had been taken to India, to be scattered at the source of the sacred River Ganges.As Bhaktivedanta Manor’s President, along with holy men from across India, prepared the ceremony, a flurry of media gathered and the Gangotri Campaign had become truly international.
A YEAR OF AWARENESS
Throughout last year, the ‘Gangotri Task Force’ worked with DEFRA, politicians and legal experts in order to raise awareness of why not only cows are sacred to Hindus, but all life.This was a successful endeavor, and last December DEFRA published a protocol which will in future guide animal welfare at all farms and organisations in the UK who have a nonviolent ethos.“This resolution will now help to protect all our cows and I believe the Temple and the RSPCA can now work together for animal welfare” said Syamasundar das.
That month, on the eve before the first anniversary of Gangotri’s death, the RSPCA apologised unreservedly and indicated its wish to build a progressive relationship. Welcoming their gesture, the Hare Krishna, and the Hindu community at large, hope the RSPCA will sign a protocol which will protect future cows.
SYMBOLS OF RECONCILIATION
On 18th January this year devotees welcomed the arrival of a special cow to Bhaktivedanta Manor. She was a gift by the RSPCA representing a symbol of reconciliation. She was given the name ‘Aditi’ which means ‘freedom’ and ‘boundless’.Aditi was pregnant and just one month after her arrival, priests, farmers and congregational members witnessed her giving birth to a healthy female calf. It was a moving occasion and represented a new era of relations with the RSPCA.
The new calf has also been named ‘Gangotri’, a name that is steeped inVedic theosophy and history.The name is, of course, a homage to the original Gangotri. Kapil Dudakia, the chair of the GangotriTask Force said,“The whole community was ecstatic with the tremendous news. Only the previous month we saw the arrival of Aditi to theTemple in all her splendour and the birth of Gangotri has brought in an auspicious era for all our diverse communities to celebrate life and a new beginning together.” Syamasundar das, the Manager of New Gokul said “it is a wonderful closure to a very traumatic experience. Both mother and calf are doing very well and are content.” Ramesh Kallidai Secretary General of the Hindu Forum of Britain said, “When Aditi came to theTemple she had the hopes and prayers of the whole community with her. It is a very befitting conclusion to this saga.”
The young Gangotri is doing well and is currently residing in New Gokul, the largest Cow Protection Centre in Europe which is due to be completed this August. It will be the only vegetarian ox-power farm in Britain and will house over 44 cows and bullocks who will live their full natural life-span. New Gokul will symbolize the Hare Krishna community’s love of cows and be a beacon for cow protection, educating the general public of its theological, ecological and spiritual significance.
