Formal Public Apology for Incidents of Cow Abuse

[Guest guest]

We have lately heard serious allegations of cow abuse at ISKCON's two

most important centers, Vrndavana and Mayapura. These allegations come

from several sources, including Syamasundara dasa, a devotee who has a

reputation as a long-term, highly conscientious herdsman at

Bhaktivedanta Manor, to such an extent that he has even written a book

on Cow Protection in Krsna consciousness. Syamasundara prabhu states

that these two goshallas were breeding about 30 cows a year for many

years, and should now have herds of three or four hundred cows, but

instead, neither goshalla has more than 150 cows. In accordance with

guidelines presented by the Minimum Standards for Cow Protection (see

"News"at http://www.angelfire.com/co/iscowp/ ) presented by the

Ministry for Cow Protection and Agriculture, he finds this strong

indication of neglect and cow abuse.

 

In all fairness to the Vrndavana and Mayapura goshallas, despite the

solid credentials of devoees rasing the question, at this time we must

wait until a full investigation can be made by representatives appointed

by ISKCON's Ministry of Cow Protection and Agriculture. Once the

Ministry of Cow Protection and Agriculture and the Ministry of Justice

have had an opportunity to review the investigating committee's report

(including statements and interviews with GBC's, temple presidents, and

herdsmen in charge in each case), the appropriate steps can be taken to

sort out any misunderstandings and appropriately address any wrongdoings

that are uncovered.

 

In the meantime, I want to address a particular issue which seems to be

part of the current situation and many other instances of cow abuse in

ISKCON as well.

 

That is: We hear many instances of cow abuse in ISKCON which have taken

place at an earlier point in time, under different authorities, such as

GBCs, temple presidents, and herdsman(women) who are no longer

associated with the projects in question. Indeed, many of them are no

longer members of ISKCON.

 

My question is this: If we can determine that significant instances of

cow abuse have taken place, do we not have an obligation to perform some

type of public, formal apology for such instances? Don't we owe an

apology to the Krsna and Prabhupada and the cows and sometimes even the

cow-herds who struggled in vain to protect the cows but whose pleas fell

upon our deaf ears?

 

Or do we just try to sweep such un-pleasantness under the rug, and

continue on our way as if nothing ever happened? Do we simply continue

our fund-raising for the next big temple and try to hush things up?

 

We know that the cows are never going to threaten us with a lawsuit.

They are never going to even write one single letter of protest at any

abuse we might do to them. But I believe there is a subtle spiritual

deterioration that is taking place because we haven't come clean about

the cows, that we -- as a society -- have not owned up to our

responsibility for what has happened to them.

 

And, as long as we are reluctant to investigate past abuses, as long as

we refuse to take responsibility for them, I am afraid that we are

condemned to commit further abuses to the cows.

 

There are so many allegations of abuse? Are they true or untrue? Where

are the investigations to learn the truth? And, if they are true, where

is our apology? It seems important that this apology should be

personally and formally led by the GBC in charge of the project where

the abuse is found. The present GBC and the present temple president

should lead the apology. Other devotees may also want to join in.

 

But without apology, without any repentence, how can we ever change our

wrong course?

 

What are the feelings of others about the need for formal apology for

incidents of cow abuse -- whether they be current or in the past?

 

your servant,

 

Hare Krsna dasi