Community Life

Hindu Voice UK is an online magazine published by a group of young volunteers in Ilford. With over 50,000 subscribers, the editor and founder of the magazine Rajesh Patel has been amazed by its uptake since its inception in January last year.

Addressing key questions about Hinduism but also reflecting the issues in the media, Hindu Voice UK distributes newsletters on a monthly basis. Its popularity soared once Hindu societies at a number of London universities subscribed and began forwarding their editions.

Reaction

When their most recent newsletter featured the story of a temple bull that was up for slaughter, the magazine received a curious response. A response the editor says was not reflected in the mainstream media. Rajesh Patel says:

"It was a little disappointing that they [the media] were talking about Hindus as though they are one block. The respect for life and the reverence for all life is a very strong sentiment amongst Hindus... but at the same time the vast majority, of even vegetarians or Hindus who have very strong feelings towards the issues of cow protection... would say that if [after] other alternatives there's still a significant risk to other livestock or to other people, ultimately the creature should be put down. "

The bull in question is Shambo. A six-year-old British Friesian bull that lives in a secluded temple in Carmarthenshire in Wales. Animals, particularly cows are revered in Hinduism and so here lies the rub. The monks at the temple look after and worship this bull and so couldn't possibly see it killed. They and some other groups have proposed  forming a human chain around the animal to protect it if they were forced to. 

Editor, Rajesh Patel

The British Cattle Veterinary Association has reiterated that Shambo is a risk to both animals and humans despite the measures the temple is taking to minimise infection.  Including keeping Shambo isolated. 

The issue has perplexed a number of Hindus worldwide. Whilst appreciating the sanctity of the cow, they are also finding themselves protective of those who are looking after him.

What do you think?

If the animal is not likely to cause infection should it be spared? Should temple sentiments be considered here as they are taking full responsibility of the animal?  Neighbouring farmers don't think it's fair that the temple bull should live when their livestock would be slaughtered under the same circumstances. Should an exception be made? If you're Hindu are you divided on the issue? Email: ramaa.sharma@bbc.co.uk

Your Views

We need to interpret the situation in the light of 'Ahimsa' and 'Dharma'. If 'Shambo' the bull has TB, then it poses a risk to other animals ( transmission depends on type of TB) and perhaps other animals. Let's say that 'Shambo' has indeed got TB and there is a risk (may not be very high, but still a risk) of it spreading. Who gets affected? Other animals and perhaps human beings especially  - in this instance priests at the temple. Then, to uphold 'Dharma' and to preserve other forms of life, we have to sacrifice Shambo in as humane way as possible. However, we are duty bound to ensure that the diagnosis is correct and beyond doubt. Ahimsa means that we do not kill another being. It can be sanctioned only if it is to uphold the general good. Vedic literature is full of incidences when humans/animals have been sacrificed to uphold Dharma.

Sunil Rajan

My views are not to kill Shambo, who is in question. When human gets HIV, Cancer or TB, Do we slaughter Human in question? NO, we give them best treatment. Please consider best treatment or isolation for Bull, Shambo. I have seen people fear for everything now a days. Keep faith and trust the nature, nothing will go wrong with other living stocks.

Parul Rao

Thank you for the opinion piece with Rajesh Patel. It was refreshing to hear a Hindu standpoint that was considered and reflective of the myriad of opinions that the Hindu community hold. Furthermore, the fact the Mr. Patel presented himself as informed and pragmatic has done wonders for the image of Hindus in the community who are at best anonymous and worst considered fundamentalists!

Rajen Mistry