New Delhi: A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Supreme Court questioning the sacrifice of animals on Bakri-Eid (Eid al Adha) and the validity of a provision of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, saying the practice was “cruel, inhuman, barbarian” and cannot be protected in the name of religion.
The PIL, filed by seven Uttar Pradesh residents, has sought the court’s direction to ensure that no animal is killed during the festival, called the feast of sacrifice, which is to be celebrated early next week.
“Issue a writ, order or direction or declaration to the effect that the practice of sacrifice of animals on Bakr-i-Eid day is unconstitutional and same cannot be resorted to by any member of the public,” the petition said.
The plea, filed through lawyer Vishnu Shankar Jain, has challenged the constitutional validity of Section 28 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act which exempts the killings under religious practices and reads: “Nothing contained in this Act shall render it an offence to kill any animal in a manner required by the religion of any community.”
“Issue a writ, order or direction striking down Section 28 of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 as unconditional, being ultra vires to Article 14,21 and 25 of the Constitution,” it said.
The PIL has made Ministries of Home Affairs, Law and Justice and Environment and Forest and Animal Welfare Board of India as parties.
“Tendency to sacrifice animals, even on roads and public places, are developing fast every year on Bakr-Eid in the most uncouth and inhuman manner and litres of blood is spread at public places affecting the sentiments of public at large,” the plea said.
“It is most respectfully submitted that animals sacrifice on Bakr-Eid day is cruel, inhuman, barbarian, decency and morality and the same cannot be protected in the name of religion as such practice is in violation of Article 14,21 and 25 of the Constitution of India,” it said.—PTI
The law of Holy Quran can never be changed if Altered by any nation Muslims Must declare war on them at the cost of own life.
In west All Eat meat dishes everyday .Are they Barbar? can modi dare call them inhuman??????????????
Danda porega pitmey .Chupogey koha in Europe??????????????
Why Modi does not call Obama to stop eating meat in USA??????????????
What these maniac are.
I know I’m late to the party on this one, but I am a Westerner and we believe in humane slaughter before an animal is eaten. Think about this: These animals must give up what is most important to them; their lives, to feed us. It’s a big demand from animals, so at the very least we can give them the best life and the most humane death to pay back for what they have to sacrifice to feed others.
The usual way to slaughter animals here is to stun them first. Using the captive bolt pistol; which is aimed into their brain. Which if aimed right, shuts down their nervous system and makes them numb to pain. We then bleed them out. Your comparison just isn’t right here. I’d say that if you feel you have to perform the ritual, then pay the animal respect(as the Quran asks of Muslims), and stun them before bleeding them. Why can’t a captive bolt pistol be used(especially for the more wealthy)? Or better and cheaper yet: A slaughter hammer(which is thinner at the tip to pierce the brain)? If that was done, it would be a lot less cruel.
Bakri-eid is a festival of sacrifice. Animal sacrifice is not mandatory. Somebody can sacrifice money, items etc. Muslims should introspect that can they celebrate bakri-eid without animal sacrifice.
We should not mix religion with culture. Our Indian culture is of peace and non-violence. Anyone is free to practice his religion but we should not practice an Arab culture in the name of religion. Slaughtering of animals in presence of children, women and in public places, spilling of blood and skinning of slaughtered animals etc can make any sensitive person sick and disturb the harmony. We are a civilised society and we should not practice medieval practices in the name of religion. Religion teaches us to be sensitive and in harmony with other people we live with not being rigid and obstinate.
We can sacrifice our evil habits, ego etc to please God. Also we can help the poor and needy in many ways. Just distributing animal meat once a year is not the solution.
Why did Swami Vivekananda say this: “According to ancient Hindu rites and rituals, a man cannot be a good Hindu who does not eat beef”?
Rigveda, Manusmiriti sanction beef-eating
A recent photograph of some Hindu protesters demanding a ban on non-vegetarian food in restaurants and government canteens in India made me sit up and take notice. I believe that these protesters are ignorant of what their religion preaches. They are simply going against their own religious scriptures.
Most of the world religions sanctify offering of animals in sacrifice including Hinduism. Hindu scriptures are witnesses to such sacrifices and killings of animals for consumption. References of such commands are replete in Hindu scriptures like Manusmriti, Vedas, Upanishads, Brahmins, Grihsutras, Dharmasutras and others.
This column would not suffice for quoting all such references but a few from different scriptures are imperative to bring home the point and clear the misconceptions:
Manusmriti (Chapter 5 / Verse 30) says, “It is not sinful to eat meat of eatable animals, for Brahma has created both the eaters and the eatables.”
Manusmriti (5 / 35) states: When a man who is properly engaged in a ritual does not eat meat, after his death he will become a sacrificial animal during twenty-one rebirths.
Maharishi Yagyavalkya says in Shatpath Brahmin (3/1/2/21) that, “I eat beef because it is very soft and delicious.”
Apastamb Grihsutram (1/3/10) says, “The cow should be slaughtered on the arrival of a guest, on the occasion of ‘Shraddha’ of ancestors and on the occasion of a marriage.”
Rigveda (10/85/13) declares, “On the occasion of a girl’s marriage oxen and cows are slaughtered.”
Rigveda (6/17/1) states that “Indra used to eat the meat of cow, calf, horse and buffalo.”
Vashistha Dharmasutra (11/34) writes, “If a Brahmin refuses to eat the meat offered to him on the occasion of ‘Shraddha’ or worship, he goes to hell.”
Also, comments of some great scholars of Hinduism are also worth noting:
• Hinduism’s greatest propagator Swami Vivekanand said thus: “You will be surprised to know that according to ancient Hindu rites and rituals, a man cannot be a good Hindu who does not eat beef”. (The Complete Works of Swami Vivekanand, vol.3, p. 536).
• Mukandilal writes in his book ‘Cow Slaughter – Horns of a Dilemma’, page 18: “In ancient India, cow-slaughter was considered auspicious on the occasions of some ceremonies. Bride and groom used to sit on the hide of a red ox in front of the ‘Vedi’ (alter).”
• A renowned scholar of scriptures Dr. Pandurang Vaman Kane says, “Bajsancyi Samhita sanctifies beef-eating because of its purity”. (Dharmashastra Vichar Marathi, page 180)
• Adi Shankaracharya’ commentary on Brihdaranyakopanishad 6/4/18 says : ‘Odan’ (rice) mixed with meat is called ‘Mansodan’. On being asked whose meat it should be, he answers ‘Uksha’. ‘Uksha’ is used for an ox, which is capable to produce semen.
• The book ‘The History and Culture of the Indian People’, published by Bhartiya Vidya Bhawan, Bombay and edited by renowned historian R.C.Majumdar (Vol.2, page 578) says: “this is said in the Mahabharat that King Rantidev used to kill two thousand other animals in addition to two thousand cows daily in order to give their meat in charity”.
It seems a great majority of the followers of Hinduism are not in contact with their religious scriptures thus falling an easy prey to the fascist forces like the Sangh Parivar who have nothing to offer to the Indian society save hatred. And all Indians know where these hatred-mongers are taking India to?
Hindu religion is an eternal religion. We speak about Ramayana that happened around 15 lakh years ago.
Mahabharat happened around 5000 years ago & after mahabharat Kali yuga started. Since kali yuga is considered to be a period of human diversion from religious path, Brahmins got corrupted & it is true that few Brahmins started killing animals for yagya. This violence went to very high level & due to this around 2500 years ago lord Buddha arrived to give message of non violence. Lord buddha is considered to be avataar of lord Vishnu. So point is that hindu religion never supported animal sacrifice however during certain period, brahmins committed this sin.
Now regarding Vedas. You have said that Rigved justifies animal sacrifice. The real story is that the vedas are in Sanskrit & it was translated into english by an english author who did not have much understanding of Sanskrit. He has incorrectly translated shlokas. Hindu scholars have given the correct meaning of those shlokas.
So the bottom line is Hindu as a religion is against any animal sacrifice. Hinduism is based upon vegeterianism & never support animal slaughter.
My brother in humanity.. You have not given any proof of your claim like brother Jameel. Why one should accept your views? Just because you say… This can be “Sanghi-lectual” but definetly not intellectual… Please validate your claims by irrefutable proof
Whatever misconceptions raised about Vedas are made clear at http://www.vedicgranth.org/misconceptions-on-vedas
Please read it carefully. If you are still not satisfied then please visit any ISKON temple & get further clarifications.
My Dear Secular Hindu,
I have noticed that you are a regular contributor to this page on this particular issue and therefore you are good enough to enlighten me on the following matters/questions. Some time I myself get confused on these matters.
1. India is earning foreign exchange by exporting beef to foreign countries and you are enjoying with this income even for construction of Ram Temple. Also I was made to understand that out of the largest exporters of beef four are Hindus among six. Pl clarify on this matter.
2. Do you know the very basic principle of the nature and its creations? All the creations are for the human beings because we are the supreme creations and in a position to differentiate our actions through common sense.
3. Let me assume that you are correct for supporting against the cow slaughter. Are you in a position to look after the non milking cows and the bulls including elderly cows until they die naturally.
4. You are very much kind towards animals specially cows. However the people in Gujarat are deadly against sending water to Tamil Nadu people. How do you see this.
I have many more to write and now I am stopping here without robbing your valuable time further.
Here are my answers:
1) It is true that exporting beef is one of the sector where India is earning foreign exchange. India is larger beef exporter not because we have many cows are being slaughtered but Indians hardly consume beef. This is also true that few Brahmins & Jains are involved in this business. However that doesnot mean Hindu religion supports cow slaughter. It is written in hindu scripters that if somebody kills or consumes cow meat then he will have get slaughtered as many times as that cow has hairs on her body.
2) I do not agree with your basic principle of nature & its creation. Hindus believe that there is a god presence in every living entity including human beings, animals, insects & even plants. However god has created them at various levels i.e. humans at highest level, then animals & then lowest levels are insects & plants. We do not believe that all creations are for human beings. According to Bhagwatgeeta, human being can only consume plants as their food & even that food he has to first devote to lord Krishna & then consume it. It is also called as ‘Prasad’. Any vegeterian food consumed by hindus without devoting to lord krishna is a sin.
3) Yes. We will look after non milking cows. And I must add here that non milking cows are not liabilities on society. In hindu religion, cow’s urine & dung is considered as holy & hence we use it for manufacturing various products. Thus non milking cow is also very productive. And even though any non milking cow is not productive still it is a duty of every hindu to serve her.
4) How hindus are behaving in various parts of country is a separate topic. Hindu religion teaches non-violance, compassion, tolerance & peace. Even same philosophy is taught by Buddha & Mahavir. We also respect Buddha & Mahavir. If gujarat people are against sending water to Tamil Nadu then it is against religion.
Plain Truth: your comments are not relevant to the above PIL, its only asking for ban on inhuman-religion based culling of animals, which is valid. Now to clarify to your point, no one is saying meat eating to be banned completely. in India Beef eating should be banned as Cow is considered sacred animal for Hindus.
Dear Mr Bangalorean,
Are you prepared to stop the exporting of cow beef and cut down your foreign exchange by a considerable amount. Can you close down the cow beef exporting factories which are run by four largest Hindu exporters among six. If so we will join with you to make a common voice to ban the slaughtering of cows subject to;
1. Close down all cow meet exporting factories.
2. Kill all tigers, lions, hyenas and crocodiles as these are killing cows and eat.
3. Let the non milking cows and bulls to get breed in the jungle area while ensuring the availability of pasture land for grazing and lakes with water for drinking. Also we have to make sure that milking cows and elderly cows are looked after well until they die naturally.
We will have to disband army and all weapons of destruction and mass destruction. These PIL peoplle like to kill Muslims and they talk of this. They love nuclear bomb and talk of ahinsa and banning cruelty to animals but not that to human beings.
Jain munis move naked in the street, present themselves before ladies and on TV stark naked. Such shameless practice must be banned. Ahinsa absolute is a stupid concept. These people kill mice, mosquitos. Coc kroaches and take medice to kill germs. Even plants have life and they kill it to eat. Their PIL is communal as they mention Eid but not animals daily killed. No mention of sea food. Someone should file counter PIL
The judiciary is flooded with PIL filed, these days. These Hindu fundamentalists want to subdue the fundamental rights of Indian Muslims and throttle the Indian democracy. It is high time a PIL should be filed to ban the Bajrang Dal, which is indeed a terrorist organization and responsible for CRUEL, INHUMAN and BARBARIAN onslaught of human race.
Brothers, believe me or not these Jains, Brahmins, and the anti national extremist groups of India RSS, VHP, Bajrandal etc.. fooling Hindu brothers, they own the slaughter houses, they even eat beef, and doing millions of dollars of business by slaughtering cows/bulls/ Buffalos and preventing to eat it by poors, where as beef is the poors meat.
those who go against Bakrid first go behind thoese anti nationalists, however one thing is sure no one can prevent sacrificing animal as long as it is meant for for festivel of poors.
I have a simple question……
If someone slaughter your dear ones in name of festival, will you feel happy? obiviously not..
Why cannot you slaughter your own child, if your god/allah loves you he will will change it to animal and return your child safely to you? Can any one dare to do that?
It is very simple every living being loves his life…. and no one has right to take his life …. one should live in peace and let other live in peace
I think humanity is above all religion and it should be practised in manner so as to spread love and peace all around.
I believe that we are unnecessarily wasting our time on this matter and making divisions among the Indians. Let the Indian Government to find a solution for this immediately as a secular country. Is it possible for the government to do;
1. Banning the export of beef to foreign countries.
2. Kill all tigers, lions, hyenas and crocodiles as these are killing cows and eat.
3. Let the non milking cows and bulls to get breed in the jungle area while ensuring the availability of pasture land for grazing and lakes with water for drinking. Also we have to make sure that milking cows and elderly cows are looked after well until they die naturally.
4. To find an alternative for the villagers who engage in animal husbandry (cow) and totally depending on this for the income for their livelihood.
There are many more to write
If the government is negative on the above, then the government should arrange a comprehensive awareness programme to enlighten the people the needs to go with the nature and to make aware of independancy and dependency. This is applicable to my country Sri Lanka too. Because we are facing similar problem here