Welsh Hindus to form a human chain to save a temple bull from slaughter

Hindus living in West Wales have decided to form a human chain to save Welsh bull from slaughter

London, May 10 : Hindus living in West Wales have decided to form a human chain to save Welsh bull from slaughter

According to the Daily Mail, the five-year-old Friesian bull named "Shambo" has been a resident of the Skanda Vale Hindu Temple in Camarthen since birth, but now attempts are being made to slaughter it because Welsh officialdom believes it is diseased.

Shambo, the report claims has bovine TB, and believe it or not, has been served with a slaughter notice after apparently testing positive during a routine examination.

Officials from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs say he must be killed to safeguard public and animal health.

However, Hindus are horrified at the proposed move, saying that it is at odds with their religion. Besides, they say the test results are inconclusive.

In protest, Hindus across the country are threatening to form a human chain around Shambo to prevent his execution, scheduled for next week.

Ramesh Kallidai, secretary-general of the Hindu Forum of Britain, said: "To have a sacred bull from the temple slaughtered is completely unthinkable. It strikes at the very core of our beliefs. It is important that governments understand that if there is a way out of the situation, they should look at that."Shambo is now in isolation in a specially- constructed shrine within the temple, which has sought professional advice to ensure that robust measures are taken to isolate Shambo and minimise the spread of disease.

The cow is considered sacred in Hinduism. The animal is thought to be symbolic of abundance, of the sanctity of life and of an earth that gives while asking nothing in return.

Most Hindus respect the cow as a matriarchal figure for her gentle qualities and her provision of milk and other products important in a largely vegetarian diet.

Bulls are respected for their work ploughing the fields.

Hindus do not worship the cow but the animal holds an honoured place in society. Most Hindus do not eat beef.

ANI