Press Release: Tory Ministers Visit site where Gangotri was Killed by the RSPCA
PRESS RELEASE
Peter Ainsworth MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and Shailesh Vara MP, Shadow Deputy Leader of the House of Commons visited Bhaktivedanta Manor in Watford on Monday 11th March. The shadow ministers met with His Grace Gauri Das, President of the Temple. Top of the agenda was discussion about Gangotri, recently put to death by the RSPCA
The visit included a tour of the Cow Protection programme and works to the new 3 million pound project to build the largest Cow Protection Farm in Europe. “The ministers saw the bulls working in the fields, and cows being milked” said Gauri Das the Temple President. “We all then had a tasty and enjoyable lunch with paneer curry, a curd cheese made from milk from our cows fresh that morning.”
When visiting the site at which Gangotri was put to death by the RSPCA, Mr Ainsworth said “I hope that the community at Bhaktivedanta Manor will accept my sincere condolences on the loss of Gangotri. One of the many things which I learnt from my visit is that Bhaktivedanta Manor provides a very caring environment, and I fully believe that Gangotri benefited from all possible attention and medical care. I was disturbed to learn that the version of events set out to me by the RSPCA differs, in some important matters of fact, from what was actually experienced on site in the days leading up to 13th December last year.”
Among other things the temple is seeking an investigation into the killing of Gangotri by the RSPCA, Mr Ainswroth gave his support to this end and said “I agree that it will be important to establish the truth of what happened, partly so that justice can be done to Gangotri’s memory, partly to ensure that the integrity of the Manor is upheld, and partly so that lessons can be learnt. I will be asking Hilary Benn to report on progress since the meeting he held with representatives of the Hindu community.”
Mr Vara the Shadow leader of the House of Commons said, “I am particularly keen to ensure that, for the future, there is a proper procedure established, so that this sort of incident does not happen again. We must all work together to achieve that end.”
The Hindu Community have been reeling at the way the RSPCA acted and the killing of Gangotri has seen universal condemnation from Hindus from around the world.
“It is clear to me that what happened on 13th December was not acceptable or right.” Commented Mr Ainsworth.
The Temple has is now considering legal proceedings against the RSPCA and looking to the Government to act, to prevent such incidents happening in the future.
For photographs of the visit, please see www.flickr.com/photos/48778979@N00/
