Overbreeding focused on milk production in the name of cow protection

[Guest guest]

Dear devotees,

 

The posting titled "Call for GBC Cow Protection Reports" speaks of

"irresponsible overbreeding focused on milk production"....

 

I have been in India continuously for more than twenty five years. Reading

the article and thinking for a moment I could think of five urban temples

that I have been at (in India) that "keep cows" -- as the whole endeavor is

often called locally -- but where the real purpose, besides milk production,

is to arouse the sentiment of middle or upper class life members or visitors

and collect donations. I have more than once happened to hear (my service

has never explicitly included cow protection) some local bhakta or devotee,

also not necessarily involved in the care of the cows, make some suggestion

regarding breeding... the idea being, as noted, milk production. At the same

time the facilities are in most cases publicized as "goshalas". The temple

authorities in these situations usually express satisfaction with their

their dairy business success. Some might agree with them and deem this

'dairying' business acceptable. But in a society of sadhakas, it seems to me

they are neglecting the karma they will have to reap for bringing these

pious living entities into the world only to make them live an unhappy

existence -- if not also have them face an untimely death in a

slaughterhouse.

 

Yours in service,

 

Rasananda das