Cow Killed at Hare Krishna Temple: Day One

The Madness of Modern Morality

 

A piece written last night by author and broadcaster Krishna Dharma Das

When the RSPCA decided yesterday to ignore the protestations of her devotee carers and "put down" the ailing Gangotri, a thirteen year-old cow living at Bhaktivedanta Manor they were moved by compassionate considerations. Their spokesperson said, "We do understand and respect religious beliefs but at the heart of our organisation is the belief that animals should not suffer." In their view the pain she felt from "infected sores" was such that the only answer was to kill her by lethal injection, which they duly administered as the horrified devotees looked on.

Though is claimed to be compassion, killing as a response to suffering is not something readily countenanced when it comes to humans. In Britain at least euthanasia is a crime, even if the suffering person desires his or her own death. Even in cases where the suffering is acute or there is terminal illness, killing is not allowed. Care will be administered to give the patient the best possible quality of life till death naturally occurs.

However, in the case of animals, as the instance of poor Gangotri illustrates, the feelings are different. At some point in this case on the behest of three vets death will be decreed. This is more or less universally accepted as the right way to treat animals. Even our beloved pets will be "put to sleep" when we think their pain is too great.

From a moral point of view then we have to ask what it is that distinguishes humans from animals. Why do we treat them differently? As far as Vedic theology is concerned all creatures are spiritual equals, eternal souls occupying different bodies. All life therefore has equal value and is entitled to equal protection under law. If the RSPCA truly did respect religious beliefs then this is the first thing they should have respected. But even if they felt they had the right to impose their own moral imperatives on the devotees, then they and the society that supports them should at least show us the consistent moral case.

But can they? I don’t think so. First of all, why do we wish to prolong human life for as a long as possible? Western society as a whole does not function on any overt religious assumptions. It is really just about enjoying life, and if anything we work according to the utilitarian principle of achieving "maximum happiness". All our endeavours are basically about this; increasing our happiness.

But animals also enjoy. They eat, sleep and mate just like us. They enjoy the sunshine and running free in the fields. They play, fight, talk among themselves and have their societies just as we do. Really, if we take away religious sentiment regarding the higher spiritual purpose of life, about which animals have no notion, then we will be hard pressed to find any difference at all between man and beast.

We might argue that animals have no art, science and philosophy, but if these are divorced from spirituality then again they are simply about increasing our enjoyment and happiness. Even if we argue that such things give greater meaning and value to humanity then what about a less intelligent person who cannot appreciate these so called finer aspects of life? Can we treat them like animals? If a man is intellectually challenged in some way then can we kill him when he has painful, infected sores?

If life is all about sensual and mental pleasures then we simply cannot present any clear moral case for distinguishing man and animal. We have to take recourse to the religious argument before we can make any distinction. Which brings us back to the so-called "respect" that the RSPCA, and indeed everyone else are always so quick to declare for others’ beliefs. Except when it is time to act on that respect, of course. When those beliefs of other people in some way contradict our own then they can be completely ignored.

And that is exactly how the Krishna devotees are feeling today. Completely disrespected and marginalized. While we can respect the compassion that drives organisations like the RSPCA, do they not think that we too have such feelings? Could they not see that we were caring for Gangotri in such a careful and loving way? Obviously we only wanted her well-being and according to our own value structure we did not see that killing her would in any way enhance her welfare.

But did anyone bother asking us why? Did anyone ask us why we especially respect the cow, a gentle creature that does nothing but eat grass and provide us with her wonderful milk? A creature that society as a whole sees fit to slaughter in countless millions in order to eat her flesh. Where are the RSPCA then? When the poor cows are being dragged, crying piteously, to a terrible death at the hands of the butchers? When their baby calves are taken away for slaughter, leaving the mothers wailing in agony through the day and the night? Who cares about that suffering? It seems that economics and our liking for roast beef and hamburgers put a swift and convenient end to our so-called "belief that animals should not suffer."

The RSPCA might argue that they do intervene in the meat industry when they see excessive abuse, which is fine, but the level of extreme misery they happily ignore can hardly be compared with the tolerable pain that Gangotri was suffering. She certainly was not howling with tears in her eyes, as we will see animals doing any day in the slaughter house.

Today the devotees at Bhaktivedanta Manor are heartbroken and mortified. When will the madness end? When will we recognise that animals, like us, are eternal parts of God and killing them wantonly for any reason brings in its wake terrible consequences? Our own legal structures may be fallible and ineffective, but God’s laws never fail. As Srila Prabhupada writes, "The material world is itself a place always full of anxieties, and by encouraging animal slaughter the whole atmosphere becomes polluted more and more by war, pestilence, famine and many other unwanted calamities."

We would perhaps do well to heed his warning.

www.krishnadharma.com

 

Day Two

This morning began with a breakfast interview on BBC Asian Network Radio with Srutidharma Das, the vice president of Bhaktivedanta Manor, and Tim Wass the RSPCA man responsible for yesterday’s killing.

It continued with CNN News filming at the Manor and the examination of this mornings national press. Times, Telegraph, Guardian, Mail, all featured good pieces and used photos of Gangotri.

Many phone calls kept coming, including one from London Newsquest which serves all the local newspapers in the metropolitan area. The interviewer was extremely interested and sympathetic.

On the political front, Barry Gardiner was able to ask questions in the Commons last night, saying that an ‘outrage has been done to the Hindus in this country’ and Harriet Harman replied on behalf of Defra minister Hilary Benn, in Bali for the UN Climate Summit, that she understood the depth of feeling on this issue and that a reply would be forthcoming.

You can watch last night’s television news about the incident here, and read today’s press-release below:

Hindus Mobilised to Change Law

The shock and bereavement felt by Hindu monks yesterday after a temple cow was killed by the RSPCA, was today turning to anger and a mobilisation of Hindus throughout the country.

Hindu leaders are united in their condemnation. "I understand that assurances were given, both by the government department Defra and the police, that nothing like this would possibly happen," said Arjan Vekharia, of the Hindu Forum of Britain, "It is quite unthinkable that the RSPCA entered a holy place and killed an animal which is considered by Hindus to be worthy of the greatest care and affection. It is quite outrageous that the priests were lied to."

"Hindu leaders from all over the country are gathering this Sunday," said Sudarshan Bhatia, head of the Hindu Forum of Europe. "This issue has incensed and united everyone. They are extremely shocked and angry about this, and the completely underhanded way it was conducted. The entire episode is shameful and I am disgusted with how our peaceful and law-abiding community has been dealt with."

Gauri Das, head of the Bhaktivedanta Manor temple, explained: "Our belief is that life itself is sacred and that we must always make every effort to prolong life. Death, even for an animal, should be met with dignity."

The temple head further added that none of the customary last rites were performed for a cow that served her community for many years, and he is now engaged in a last-minute desperate attempt to plead with government ministers that her ashes should not be thrown into a landfill site along with other household rubbish.

"How is it that in Britain we have to have such things happen to our faithful pets, even when that pet happens to be a cow? Cows are beautiful creatures, and although they are routinely viewed as food and killed, a little dignity is all we’re asking for."

But Hindus are not content with merely protesting and expressing their anger. "We want a change in the law," said Britz actor Ravin Ganatra, "If the animal welfare law states that it is alright for Jewish and Muslim communities to have their own legal methods of killing, why can’t the Hindu community have a law passed that helps to keep animals alive?"

 

Day Three

I went into London at 6.00 am to give the morning class at our Soho street temple. I was invited for the 38th anniversary of the installation of Radha Londonishvara, the presiding Deities there. After class we posed for a group photograph outside the temple.

Returning to the Manor, I learned that various Hindu organisations had put out their own press releases, and that BBC Radio 4’s Sunday programme will be featuring the story tomorrow after 7.00 am.

Viewing the London ITN news from the other night I found it quite remarkable how the RSPCA are providing the public with a version of events which is quite removed from what actually happened. More than that, they have escalated the level of pain and distress our cow was in to the point where anyone just has to agree with them that they took the correct action.

Gangotri

But they did not. They made an error of judgement born, I feel, from a sense of moral certitude brought about by the genuinely good work they do. Unfortunately their notion of compassion and prevention of cruelty involves killing the very animal they are being compassionate to. Its a view which comes from not understanding that animals have souls.

The public trust them, they have a good image, but they are not free from the tendency to make mistakes. There is a website cataloguing their mistakes which makes for interesting reading.

And killing a cow at a Hare Krishna temple was a big mistake. Our duty is to let them know that in no uncertain terms. Then to get the law changed so that it never happens again.Tomorrow will be interesting as Hindu leaders gather at the Manor to discuss the way forward.

 

Day Four: Hindu Leaders Plan the Next Move

 

Today has been a Day for Gatherings and Plannings

2008: The Year of the Congregation

I'm writing at the end of a long day. I arrived at the temple for the 7.00 am darshan this morning, and immediately went to work completing the final details of a Powerpoint presentation on "2008: The Year of the Congregation." Next year is thus designated so that we'll all put more effort into developing strategies for 'Learning, Guidance and Organisation' for our growing congregation in London and the South.

The senior managers of the temple took everything needed for long-term growth in this important area and formed a strategic planning document for it. Well, at least we completed the Vision, Mission Statements and the Key Result Areas. Our KRAs came to eight in number, so we labelled that the 'eight petals' of our lotus and head-hunted qualified devotees for those areas.

The initial presentation, show and discussions following were attended by a good number of thoughtful and talented devotees. We were in the good discussion space of the theatre and with no disturbances, the results were good.

I then met privately with a small number of devotees to show them some other ideas. There seems to be a lot of energy surrounding this and I am excited by the prospects of the new teams.

Jayadeva came in to see me and brought the manuscript of his new book. Its the story of his life as a pop singer in The Rubettes, his seeking for spiritual life, and the many amazing stories along the way. He is going to begin a four-day recording period tomorrow where he will be joined by Irish musicians to complement his singing of traditional Sanskrit bhajans.

The Killing of Gangotri

While I was busy this morning, Gauri das, our temple president, was with the BBC radio down in London. Several stations do some kind of religious or ethical feature on a Sunday morning so he was interviewed by three stations in quick succession: London, Three Counties (our local radio station) and the thinking person's Radio 4. Things moved so fast the rest of the day that I have yet to ask him how they all went.

At 2.30 we began gathering in the main dining room where a conference sitting arrangement had been laid out. I talked to Wenda and her partner Mathew, who run a 38-acre cow sanctuary down near Brighton in Sussex. She is a practising Vaishnavi and has more than 30 cows. She'd come specially for the emergency meeting. By 3.00 around 25 Hindu leaders had arrived, the local papers took a few photographs and departed and we began.

A lot of anger and frustration. And a lot of quiet determination and plan making. Some highly placed and influential people. Over the next few weeks I think that things will gradually develop towards a favourable outcome. We cannot bring Gangotri back, but we can make damned sure that she didn't die in vain.

Had a look at some footage that a witness to the killing wants to put on Youtube, then went to my office to compose the press release for the day. Wrote this.

 

Angry Hindu Leaders condemn ‘over-zealous’ RSPCA

 

Angry Hindu leaders from across Britain massed for an emergency meeting on Sunday following the putting to death of a cow at a temple outside London.

They were united in their condemnation of the ‘officious and self-righteous’ RSPCA, and the ‘unthinking complicity’ of Defra and the police.

Representing dozens of organisations and communities, they converged on the Bhaktivedanta Manor in Hertfordshire and saw for themselves the spot where a temple cow was mercilessly given a fatal injection, despite all pleas and attempts at negotiation on religious grounds.

They were further incensed to learn that the cow’s medical care was being supervised by two veterinary surgeons, neither of whom insisted that the cow be killed, and neither of whom reported the animal as ‘suffering.’

The assembly of delegates expressed their outrage and frustration, considering the killing to be not only an entirely unnecessary waste of life, but also a symbolic attack on Hinduism itself, a religion of non-violence.

“Never before have I seen such anger and solidarity in our community,” said Arjan Vikaria of the Hindu Forum of Britain. “We want answers and retribution and we will not stop until we get them.”

Raj Joshi, vice-chairman of The Society of Black Lawyers, angrily commented: “This action is showing complete disregard for the sensitivities of the third largest religion in this country. It is astonishing that the authorities seem to have disregarded all customary tolerance and understanding, and certainly the relevant legislation, in carrying out this unwarranted and inhumane destruction of an animal.”

Research was presented on the previous conduct of the RSPCA, and the organisation’s sorry history of overly zealous ‘mercy killings’ was discussed. “We call upon Hindus throughout the country to withdraw their financial support from the RSPCA,” said one leader, “they are not morally fit to represent the compassionate nature of the British public.”

“We are very upset by the deceptive way in which this charity has behaved and presented the situation to the public,” said another, “they grossly exaggerated the physical deterioration of the cow, and have covered up the plain fact of the matter, which is that she was being very well cared for by a local, highly qualified vet and her carers.”

Head of the temple where the cow was killed, Gauri Das commented: “The RSPCA deceived us and are now attempting to deceive the public. A charity organisation with no powers came uniformed into our temple and enforced the killing of Gangotri, a loved and cared for cow with no disease. Her only crime was that she couldn’t walk.”

Delegates formed a task force and will now demand both the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, and Hilary Benn MP, Defra minister, to explain who gave the order to kill the cow, despite ministerial promises that no action would be taken because of the special circumstances. They also voted to register their protest in other ways and are considering prosecution of the RSPCA.

NOTES

RESOLUTION FROM NATIONAL MEETING OF HINDUS LEADERS:

“We the undersigned, condemn the murder of Gangotri which we as British
Hindus consider to be a fundamental assault on the principles of our faith.
British Hindus call on the Prime Minister to investigate the actions of the
Chief Constable of Hertfordshire Police, the RSPCA and DEFRA to account for
the murder of Gangotri.”

Sudarshan Bhatia – Hindu Forum of Europe

Arun Thakar

Umesh Chandrasana

Madhubhai Shastri – National Council of Hindu Temples

Arjun Vikaria

Kapil Dudakia – Hindu Forum of Britain

Anant Vyas – Hindu Council of the UK

Kishorbhai Ruparelia – Vishva Hindu Parishad

Pravinbhai Ruparelia – Hindu Swayam Sevak Sangha

Ananad Arya – Hindu Seva Sangha

Navinkrishna

Shailesh Govindia – I Foundation

C.B.Patel – Gujarat Samachar, Asian Voice newspapers

Prashant Popat – Indian Business Association

Wenda Shehata – Animal Sanctuary, East Sussex

 

Myths, Facts, and How You Can Help

 

This week there has been a tremendous amount of media coverage of the cow-killing at the temple. The story appeared in newspapers, radio, television, and online as far away as Australia. But now its old news.

Its now been just over a week since Gangotri, a cow at our temple, was needlessly killed while the community members were at prayer—and that's a long, long, time ago in media terms.

But our campaign to make sure it never happens again has only just begun. And before you get tired of hearing about it, I'd like to ask for your help.

If you're reading this, it means that the spiritual side of life is important for you; a sense of compassion is important for you. You may not have made up your mind whether or not the Krishnas are fussing just a little too much about their cow. You might be unsure about the ethics involved, or just what you might have done in the circumstances.

We all love animals. And the donors who give money to the RSPCA love animals. But we feel that a line was crossed last week that cannot be hidden away from public, legal, and government scrutiny. You don't have to be a Hindu to be outraged at the RSPCA's arrogance, just a decent person who feels that some self-important men took a step too far.

So here's some facts about what happened, and what the richest charity in Britain is saying. Please take a few minutes to read it, then watch the Youtube video; then please sign the online poll at the Hindu Forum of Britain. It will help greatly in our case. And if you can possibly squeeze in a few lines to your local MP to ask her/him to kindly sign the Early Day Motion 576, that will also be a great help.

After Christmas we shall begin the campaign in earnest.

Myths and Facts:

Myth		Fact
The cow at the Hare Krishna temple was suffering.		The cow was unable to walk. She had bedsores due to lying down for the extended period of fourteen months, and had developed a quickened breathing rate as a result. She was being given painkillers. All other bodily functions were normal and she had a good appetite. She had actually stood up three weeks previously. One of our vets noted the improvement. At no point had either of our two vets stated that the pain was intolerable— merely, in the words of the official statement from the government department Defra, the pain was "unnecessary."
Animals that are suffering should be "put to sleep."		It is not "sleep," but an undignified death from a lethal injection of heavy liquid barbiturates—a very different state of existence.
But killing out of mercy is surely a morally acceptable option to alleviate the suffering of an animal. It's the only compassionate thing to do.		Compassion does not have to translate into "mercy"-killing. We can respond to the suffering of an animal with care so that we help to prolong life. We have a choice.
But qualified veterinary surgeons had given their opinion.		Two veterinary surgeons—one who lived locally and the other a specialist based in Oxford—were regularly supervising the cow's medical treatment. They were administering medicine themselves, and also guiding the daily care being given by the community members. It is normal farming practice that once a cow is "down," or cannot walk, she will be killed by the vet , because within a few weeks physical complications will arise that most farmers don't have time to deal with. As a religious community, we made the choice to care, and those two vets chose to support us. Two other vets, who were unfamiliar with the way we work with animals, one of whom was merely a passerby, gave different opinions. At first, the chief vet responsible for animal welfare in the appropriate government department (known as DEFRA) also gave a recommendation that the cow be killed. When he made a personal visit to the temple, however, and saw how the animal was being cared for, he informed us that no further action would be taken.
The Hare Krishna people are sentimental animal lovers, and they don't know how to properly care for animals.		We have been looking after cows for thirty years. All our cows are very well cared for, well fed, and protected from harm.
The RSPCA is a charity that was specially set up to provide animal welfare and to prevent cruelty. Their decision is final in these matters.		The RSPCA is an animal welfare charity. That means they receive donations from concerned members of the public, and are supposed to spend that money doing things to prevent cruelty. That's all. They are not veterinary surgeons, nor are they a government department. They have no statutory powers, but function as an agency to bring cases of animal neglect or cruelty—which is illegal—to the notice of the relevant agencies.
The RSPCA has the power to enter someone's premises and either "put down" the pet or farm animal, or prosecute the owner.		They have no such "powers." Entering anyone's premises requires a search warrant—a certificate from a magistrate—that must be delivered by an accompanying police officer. The RSPCA may then bring a private prosecution against the owner of the neglected animal, but they do so under the same laws as you or I may choose to bring a prosecution against someone else.
The RSPCA is well known for saving the lives of many stray cats, dogs, horses, and other animals that are suffering or abandoned.		It is true that they save animals in situations of cruelty or neglect. This is their public face. What the public may not know is that, on average, the charity ends up killing dogs and other pets a mere five weeks after they "save" them. Indeed, they are now killing many more animals than they ever used to.
The RSPCA officials negotiated with the Hare Krishna leaders for a full three days before taking the action they did. The temple failed to cooperate with them.		The RSPCA has no "officials." Their titles of "inspector" and "superintendent," and their uniforms, have no more significance than the ranks and uniforms given to members of the Salvation Army. We are not in any way obliged to cooperate with them. We are, however, obliged to cooperate with the police who represent the laws of the country. The police did not ask us to kill our cow. The "three days" that the RSPCA speak of are as follows: On Monday, 10 December, an RSPCA inspector named Mark Mathews came to the Bhaktivedanta Manor looking for Stuart Coyle, our farm manager. Not finding him, he left. On the morning of Tuesday, 11 December, he came again and interviewed Stuart Coyle "under caution," prefacing his words with the statement "You're not obliged to say anything" All this preface actually means, of course, is "if I later choose to prosecute you, I now give you notice that I am recording your words, which I may later repeat in court." But it makes the speaker sound like a policeman, and that can be intimidating for some people. On the afternoon of the same day, Mark Mathews returned with a local policeman. Stuart Coyle took pains to explain how badly killing a cow in a Hindu temple would be regarded throughout the country, and that it was an issue not merely of the destruction of a farm animal, but of the religious understanding of a large community—a section of the British public—which might have extended political repercussions. That evening, Gauri Das, the temple head, managed to have a discussion with a "high-ranking" member of the RSPCA, Timothy Wass. Gauri Das managed to impress upon him the magnitude of the action the RSPCA was contemplating, and insisted that a dialogue take place between them. The next day, Wednesday 12 December, Tim Wass and two assistants, and two local policemen (invited without the knowledge of Gauri Das) engaged in a ninety-minute dialogue, the conclusion of which was that, due to conflicting understandings of compassion and interpretations of DEFRA's letter and comments, the matter would be sorted by each party gathering more relevant information and, if necessary, by taking the matter to court. But both the police and Tim Wass stated clearly as they departed, "You will get some days to think this over." An application for a warrant was made that very night, and by breakfast the following morning, as the community members were at prayer, the cow was killed by lethal injection, and the RSPCA drove off leaving a stunned community behind them. That was the "three days of negotiations."
But these are exceptional circumstances. This sort of incident doesn't happen very often with the RSPCA. In general they have a good record.		Not at all. The charity rescues animals and prevents cruelty, but also has a long history of displaying total disregard for vulnerable farmers and pet owners in the name of compassion. They attract funding by just this sort of high-profile action, and by successful prosecutions of unsuspecting pet owners. It is not just minority Hindus' rights at stake here, but people of all religions, or none. There is an undercurrent of protest at their mistakes. The sad incident at the Krishna temple is just the latest By a combination of the 2006 Animal Welfare Act (specifically clause 19, which explains the entering of premises in order to prevent ongoing cruelty), the curiously overzealous nature of the RSPCA in taking life rather than preserving it, and an often too compliant local police force—together with funding from generous animal lovers—the RSPCA has become a danger to any pet owner. What their current stance means—and they are trying to increase their powers—is that nobody will be allowed to care for their pets beyond the point of their owner being able to guarantee recovery. Of course, many owners choose to have their pets put down by the local vet, but that is a choice. If reported to the RSPCA, you would no longer have that choice. In their mistaken notion that killing is superior to suffering—and we might be glad, here, that the RSPCA are not bio-ethicists—the RSPCA are transgressing their own stated code that all animals be allowed to live a natural life. Our question to them is, Why do you not think that "natural life" also means allowing a pet animal to die a natural death? Is your compassionate concern for someone else's pet always superior to that of the pet owner, who may simply want the pet to live as long as possible? Which UK charity law has given you the power over life and death?

 

Please watch this YouTube video:

 

 

Then complete the online poll at the Hindu Forum of Britain website:

online-poll

 

Prayers and Protest