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COW: What is @ stake?

Is there a scope for Give & Take!

In the context of human civilization, cow has always been an animal which gave milk, which in turn helped us produce different products like butter etc. These have been the single most important sources of proteins for humans. There isn’t therefore, any dispute on this utilitarian aspect of cow-across the human spectrum. But it is also true that man in his masculine superiority always usurped things, which truly speaking not his. In this case, the milk that cow has, is the rightful claim of its calf, but man being man, in his terms of trade, denied this claim of calf and usurped it all for himself and his people.

Of course, this arrangement of complete subjugation of cow and calf to the demands of man, is from the beginning of co-habitation of man and other domestic animals. No question asked.

Besides the milk and its allied products, cow was reduced to the palate at the dining table, largely because it is a cheaper source of protein.

While there is enough printed materials available singing paen about the food value of milk and its bye products, there is an open ended debate about the negatives and positives of consuming cow meat, which is also known as beef.

It is true that beef is a cheap source of protein for human consumption. But it is also true that it is not recommended as an ideal food for its negative health effects. High amounts of coagulants are found in cow meat that thickens the blood, hampering normal functioning and leading to cardiovascular diseases. Therefore question is, because it is a cheap source of protein, especially for poor, can you afford to suffer the possible cardiovascular ailments?!

Thus it makes a prima facie case for non-consumption of cow meat or beef. Of course the choice is entirely left to the individual to make, whether to consume beef or not.

Public space has following information, available to all, which talks about 7 reasons to avoid beef.

Reason 1: Beef may increase Alzheimer’s Disease Risk

Reason 2: Beef can cause Cardiovascular diseases.

Reason 3: Beef can increase the risk of Colon Cancer.

Reason 4: Beef consumption can lead to type 2 diabetes.

Reason 5: Mad cow disease is one of the possible, to attack those consuming beef.

All the above 5 reasons listed can apply to all individuals or most individuals in varying degrees depending upon the quantity consumed. It affects mostly those who eat beef on, more or less, regular basis. It may not affect those who eat once in a way. But then again, it depends on each one’s physical composition.

The remaining 2 more reasons are 

1) Like all food items, even beef may not be of the same quality of olden days, when pollution and use of hormones were unknown. Thus the present quality of beef may be carrying all kinds of chemicals from the air, from water and injectables. Hence beef available now may be carriers of increased risk of health hazards.

2) Cow is considered a nice animal in all societies. All humans must have consumed cow’s milk at some point in their life, and therefore there is a feeling in most societies not to harm it.

Of course there is a huge amount of meat export industry which claims to export only buffalo meat. Strangely, why cow meat and buffalo meat cannot be equated, is not known. Buffalo too, like cow, gives milk and its meat too has same harmful effects on human health. But, government of all political hues have always allowed and encouraged export of buffalo meat.

Coming to the theological aspect of beef consumption, some quotes are available as reference. It may not be out of place to refer to a classic poetry in Kannada on the encounter a cow, named Punyakoti, had with a tiger, while it was out grazing. The poignancy of the interlocution between these two diametrically different creation of God elevated the poetry into a spiritually sublime experience. 

In India Hindus consider cow a sacred animal and a huge section of them who not only do not eat beef but would never want to hurt it in any form. They even worship it. Of course there are many among Hindus who do eat beef on regular basis, because it is cheaper than goat meat by more than 50%.

For them it is a source of cheap protein. However, among Christians & Muslims most eat beef and there are any number of traders among Muslims trading in beef and cattle. For them, cow is really a source of livelihood and food.

The recent moves to ban cow slaughter has therefore has caused consternation especially among Muslims. The issue is certainly delicate, and hence need to be handled with sensitivity.

At the outset, there could have been a stage of talking to those who are affected by the ban, without having to push it down the throat with an outright ban. India being a democratic country airing opinion in a public space is a done thing. With internet and social portals, it’s a veritable war of words, some reasonable, some unreasonable and some extremely provocative. Naturally the atmosphere is charged and vitiated. The killing of alleged beef eater in Dadri, U.P., has only made things worse leading to the widening social chasm. An element of helplessness has pervaded the law abiding citizens. If for consuming beef, a person can be killed, there cannot be a greater depravity, a man can go down to. The perpetrator has to be given the harshest punishment for the alleged crime. 

The issue of beef eating and cow slaughter has been in the public space for a long time. There used to be a time, when cow meat was consumed by Hindus, according to some of the writings of yore. But over a period of time, an element of sacrilege was attributed to eating cow meat and deification of cow started. Over a period, worship of cow became increasingly in vougue and this section became more and more vocal in condemning beef eating. This increasing shrill in the public space started causing unease in the psyche of beef eaters, especially Muslims. While there are still good number of Hindus who eat beef besides Christians and Muslims, it was the trading and transportation of cattle that became a target of some of the vocal elements among Hindus. The unauthorized slaughter and illegal transportation of cattle led to violent protest from this section. According to some sources, if these elements are taken into confidence, by means both questionable and otherwise, at least the illegal transporters managed life with less tension. Which, if true, means, is blatantly unethical and may be even criminal. What is the law enforcing authorities are doing about this dimension is a question begging for answer.

While it is true that the issue of beef has become a political issue, with all kinds of people trying to muddy the water, no acceptable solution is emerging. But a solution has to be found out for the larger issue of peace. The problem basically is an atmosphere of assertive, tit-for-tat, which has greatly harmed the social atmosphere with media being subjective in taking sides rather than unbiased objective comments. Thus intolerance is all pervading.

However, it is the good fortune of this country, that despite attempts by hardliners everywhere from all sections, to whip-up feelings, vast majority of Indians are very tolerant and accommodative and therefore issues do not go out of control. And this is not because of the law enforcing authorities but an average citizen is law abiding and means well for his fellow human beings.

It means that, since some people do not consume red meat, whether mutton, beef or pork, it is easier to advocate. But what needs to be appreciated for the larger picture is to put the health aspect of our food habits as the uniting force in the public space.

Imam Hazzrat Ali in his book Nahjul Balaga directs Muslims not to make their stomach a graveyard of innocent animals. Al- Gazali in his Ihya Ulum-id-din observed that beef creates diseases, milk has got cure and clarified butter has medicinal effect. Maulvi Mohd. Ismail wrote a poem that was taught in primary schools, that expressed gratefulness to god for creating a being as benevolent as cow. A writer writes in the media that, ‘while nations like Iran have taken into a/c Islamic tenets and put a complete ban on slaughter of cows, in our own nation Hadith and Quran are openly flouted,’. If this is true, there appears to be room for dialogue, which is the corner stone of any civil society. This writer also quotes ‘Fiqh-us-Sunnah, volume 3, number 104, Prophet Mohammad was asked by his companions, if kindness to animals was rewarded in the life here-after. He replied “Yes, there is a meritorious reward for kindness to every living creature”

As for those among Hindus, who consume beef, there are many references in scripture, eulogizing cow. According to Atharvana Veda (11.1.34) cow is the fountain head of all bounties. Cow is indeed the source of nourishment of creation, its milk and derivatives- ghee, curd, butter, etc- form an important dietary component for humans; the dung is a free and natural fertilizer, it also protects against radiation; the urine acts as a natural pesticide and has medical uses. It also talks about, worship of cow and if worshiped, how, and in the process, if cow licks one’s head, person’s mental faculties bloom. Myth has it that Kabir’s poetic abilities manifested only after his head was licked by cow.

That brings Union Minister for Women’s and Child Development, Maneka Gandhi, she had, some months ago, urged in a letter to the council of ministers to switch over to “Gavnyle” an environmental friendly cleaning liquid made from cow urine extract- instead of chemically  based  phenyl. According to her, Kendriya Bhandars are stocking it. 

Thus there is enough scope for all to participate in the debate over cow slaughter, without the official ban by the government of the day.

Then you have this commercial aspect of meat export, leather and footwear industry etc. It is also true that most farmers have always sold aged cows, oxen and buffalos to abattoirs. This alone has provided raw materials for meat export, footwear and leather industry, and is a source of huge employment opportunity. How is the government, going to address this issue? Who will pay for those farmers, whose aged cattle earns them money when sold? What about the loss of employment and source of income? What solution the government has for this loss?

While ban may be greeted by a section with glee, it has certainly disturbed greatly the social fabric. Political class of all hues must take the initiative of how the issue can be addressed without the tu-tu-mai-mai politics of blame game. Even civil society must take initiative how to reduce the chasm among different sections of society.

As we mentioned earlier about the liberal dimension of Indian society, comes this news. “Avoid cow slaughter in larger interest, Ulema urges Muslims”, was a print media news datelined Hyderabad (See Box)

Hence truly speaking what is at stake? Palate vs Peace & Harmony! Choice is left to all stake holders, since there is immense potential for GIVE & TAKE.

Avoid cow slaughter in larger interest: Ulema urges Muslims

Hyderabad: With the ban on beef in some states and the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha triggering a fierce debate on cow slaughter across the country, a group of Islamic scholars in southern India has made an appeal to Muslims to avoid sacrificing cows, bulls and bullocks in the community’s larger interest. The scholars have advised Muslims to show pragmatism in the prevailing situation and instead opt for alternate animals permitted by the Sharia to ensure that peace is maintained and there are no impediments in their larger duty of ‘dawat-e-deen’ of distributing food to the poor and the needy.

Backed by all schools of thought, the group has taken up the campaign through social media, meetings, pamphlets and Friday sermons in mosques in different states of southern India. “Our message is that Muslims should not take law in their hands but desist from sacrificing cow, bulls and bullocks for maintaining peace. This will also help in introducing Islam to others,” Syed Hussain Madani, an Islamic scholar heading the campaign, told IANS.

The scholar has suggested that the community should avoid sacrificing cows to protect life and property. People trading in cows, bulls and bullocks have been suffering loss of life and property and sometimes ending up harming others. Madani quoted ‘Hadith’, or the sayings of Prophet Muhammad, that “There should be neither harming nor reciprocating harm.” Noting that the Prophet sacrificed two sheep on Eid-ul-Azha, he said: “Since the Prophet Muhammad is the best model for us, we should follow him. Sacrificing cow is allowed but it is not ‘afzal’ (preferable),” he said.

Every year, hundreds of bulls and bullocks are brought to the city for sacrifice on Eid day. Such animals are in huge demand because seven people can have share in each. At Rs.2,500 to Rs.2,800 each share, this works out more economical than Rs.6,000 to Rs.7,000 for a goat or sheep. The scholars pointed out that sacrificing per se is not ‘farz’ (obligation) but ‘sunnat’ (practice of the Prophet). “Allah doesn’t burden more than one can bear. There is ample room to avoid this (sacrifice of cow) in the prevailing situation when there are legal restrictions and communal disharmony over the issue,” said Madani. As many families take a share in such animals to distribute meat among the poor, Madani said that the poor may be helped in many other ways.

The ulema, while noting that slaughter of cow, bulls and bullocks are linked to the livelihood of a group, argue that the interest of the entire community should get priority. “Prevention of means of ‘fasad’ (mischief) is better than the benefits we may get from certain things,” said Madani. The scholars are also of the opinion that the misconceptions about cow slaughter and the misinformation spread by some elements affects ‘Dawate-e-deen’ and since this is an obligatory duty of every Muslim, it should get priority over sacrificing cow, bulls or bullocks.

The appeal also has the backing of Muslim political leaders and legal experts. It also made reference to a suggestion by some political leaders that giving up eating of beef for a couple of years will show its impact on the economy and those opposing it will be forced to amend the legislation.