Deputy Commissioner of Bellary favours Cow Protection!

BY: BHARAT CHANDRA DAS (BRS)

Jul 11, 2010 — BELLARY, INDIA (SUN) — It was afternoon when a distress call came from a devotee, Shankar Prabhu. He had spotted two vehicles pathetically loaded with cows and rushing at high speed. The cows were obviously being taken for slaughtering to a nearby slaughterhouse.

People could easily spot even in the daylight loads of such vehicles passing by in Bellary area. A serious discussion recently during the routine Varnasrama Research Team setup under the auspices of Daiva Varnasrama Ministry at Bellary, was on saving cows. The discussions had penetrated deep into Bhakta Shankar.

When we reached the spot, Shankar had already brought them to the police attention and the vehicles were taken to the Police Station. One of our devotees was interviewed by press. Police were reluctant to take the case. We were adamant and wanted that Police sieze the vehicles as there were no permits showed by the drivers. One was Manjunath and the other Ali, both drivers regularly transporting cows as thousands of others involved in such routine multi-crore daily massacres.

Recently Karnataka Government, by Krishna's mercy, had passed a bill on Ban on Cow Slaughter in the state. However, that morning one of the devotee read in the newspaper that the bill is still being debated and opposed vehemently by the opposition party.

We filed an FIR. Now it was time to take the cows to a lone Goshala nearby. On contacting the officials of the Goshala, we were surprised that they did not want to take the cows! The Goshala had recently taken in around 20 cows which were going for slaughter and had given them shelter and fodder. But right next day, they faced a crowd of unruly Muslims of 200 in number, carrying weapons and threatening. Police were involved but they couldn't do much and in front of their eyes, had to give away 20 cows back to the buthcers! Hence they did not want to take the cows in.

Next two hours were spent in finding out what to do. Calls after calls to various people were done. I contacted Mr. Jasraj, advocate of Supreme Court, who gave contact number of one Dayanand Swami leading the High Power Committee for Cow Slaughter Ban rule in Karnataka. On contacting him, he spoke to the police officials. Incidentally, Dayanand Swami and others were having a meeting on Cow protection bill when we called. Next to him was H.G. Varadakrishna Prabhu of Bangalore Jagannath Temple, ISKCON TP sitting. I was surprised and happy to know. He explained that ISKCON is also in the High Power committee working to pass this bill.

Next, we could somehow take the cows to the Goshala. Upon opening the doors of the vehicles, it revealed a gory scene which you can see if you can, in the photos. One cow had died due to stampede.

Next day, we went to Deputy Commissioner to explain the problem faced by the Goshala. He gave instructions to the Goshala to not worry and take the cows in, and that he will ensure their protection.

Past two days devotees have unearthed a multi-crore massacre business going on in a nearby town. Agrarian based varnasrama community is the only real solution. Government wants to donate land for cow protection in Bellary. Today, with Tehsildar, we are going to visit the land.