The cow is a very useful animal. Many Indian households, irrespective of their religion, shelter cows for a sustainable income. However, when it becomes unproductive due to old age, its disposal is a difficult choice. Sentimentality apart, there is no denying that for those who cannot afford mutton and other forms of meat, beef is a cheap source of protein. However, against this reality, a myth is being created that in India, millions of cows are being reared just to be killed for the purpose of meat. The >resulting hate and mistrust are invariably exploited to reap political dividends. If their sentiments are genuine, the opponents should come up with solutions to deal with unproductive animals. Why not create a mechanism to ensure that every unproductive cow is bought by them at a price and cared for till its natural death? Often, these abandoned animals die a desolate death and their carcasses are eaten away by vultures and wild animals.
Jose Augustine,
New Delhi
