Gangotri, a 13-year-old Belgian Blue-Jersey cross, was put down by the RSPCA on December 13 last year in what the charity called a mercy killing of an animal in severe suffering.

At the time of her death, she had been injured for over a year, and, unable to stand, had become plagued by bedsores.

But the monks and nuns of Bhaktivedanta Manor in Hertfordshire, Europe’s biggest Hindu temple, claim Gangotri was illegally slaughtered and that the killing was carried out while they were at worship.

Six of the monks descended on the Horsham headquarters of the RSPCA, Britain’s leading animal welfare charity, to protest against the act, which they say was conducted with no respect for their religious values.

“The RSPCA unlawfully trespassed on temple property and unlawfully trespassed on the life of a cow,” Gauri Das, president at Bhaktivedanta Manor, declared outside the building.

“The cow was under veterinary care and was recovering. There was absolutely no reason for her to be killed. The way they carried out this act on the sacred premises of a temple with no dialogue was completely unacceptable.”

Handing over a letter to John Rolls, RSPCA director of animal welfare promotion, he demanded the charity accept full liability for the act or the temple would be forced to sue.

Gangotri’s death drew outrage from Britain’s 750,000-strong Hindu community, which regards all life as sacred. The cow in particular is revered as a matriarchal symbol of abundance and of the earth that gives much while asking nothing in return.

In January, around 100 protesters gathered outside the House of Commons to protest over the actions of the RSPCA, which they claimed was an organisation of “suited and booted murderers.”

A delegation from Bhaktivedanta Manor later visited India to scatter Gangotri’s ashes in the River Ganges.

The temple runs the Cow Protection Project, which cares for old cows and bulls, and allows them to die naturally. Though Gangotri was unwell, the monks claim she was receiving the best medical care and attention.

The RSPCA vigorously denies the temple’s version of events, insisting it informed staff at the temple of what they were going to do, and avoided killing the cow during prayers.

“We believe we acted properly, within the law, but clearly they are of a different opinion,” Mr Rolls said.

“I am sorry it has got to this point. I think the issue could be addressed through dialogue rather than the courts and it is unfortunate they are taking this action.”

“We were brought in by a veterinary surgeon who was concerned Gangotri was suffering and this was confirmed by two independent vets. The animal was in constant pain, with wasted limbs and had difficulty breathing.

“The conclusion was Gangotri needed to be euthanised. The public would expect us to end an animal’s suffering in a humane way and that is what we did.”

The temple’s campaign, called Justice for Gangotri, also cites the case of Shambo, a bullock put down at a Hindu community in west Wales last year after a positive test for bovine tuberculosis. His demise too was the focus of widespread protest from the Hindu community, and religious leaders have called for a code of practice to avoid any repetition and for special provision to protect animals at Hindu holy sites.

Original article can be found here.

Gauri das, temple president at Bhaktivedanta Manor, who marched with five other saffron-robed monks to the RSPCA’s West Sussex headquarters, said: “The RSPCA unlawfully trespassed on temple property and unlawfully trespassed on the life of a cow. The cow was under veterinary care and was recovering. There was absolutely no reason for her to be killed.

“The way they carried out this act on the sacred premises of a temple with no dialogue was completely unacceptable.” The cow, a Belgian blue-jersey cross, was killed while monks were worshipping, and the temple alleges that the RSPCA used an illegal warrant to enter their property. The charity was in negotiations with the temple for weeks over the slaughter of the 13-year-old animal because it had a broken leg and had bed sores.

John Rolls, RSPCA director of animal welfare promotion, greeted the delegation. He said: “We believe we acted properly, within the law, but clearly they are of a different opinion. I am sorry it has got to this point.”

Radha Mohan das, a spokesman for the temple, said the action was “highly offensive” and that the charity had conducted itself in a “high-handed and devious fashion”.

The animal welfare charity said the cow needed to be put down for welfare reasons. Three independent vets agreed it was suffering and should be put down. The cow had been ill for a year and was unable to stand because of its injuries, but Mr Mohan das said that the RSPCA’s actions were “an insult and a threat to the Hindu community”.

He said the heavy-handedness of the RSPCA had been an attempt to stave off a legal battle like that which took place over the killing of Shambo the bull last year.

Shambo, a sacred bull belonging to the Skanda Vale religious community near Carmarthen, Dyfed, tested positive for bovine TB last year and was finally slaughtered in July after much controversy.

Kapil Dudakia, of the Gangotri task force, said the RSPCA had caused great offence to the Hindu community. “The killing of a cow on grounds where we have a temple is the worst act that anyone can have committed to Hindus,” he said. “It showed a level of contempt that deserved a challenge.”

The RSPCA apologised for any offence caused, and added: “The RSPCA will always seek to respect religious views, but the most important thing is to stop animals suffering. That is what the RSPCA is for, and what the public expects us to do. Nonetheless, the RSPCA is based on a profound respect for animals, something we share with many religious communities. Since the death of Gangotri, we have requested to meet with Hindu bodies and hope to hear from them very soon, to begin progressive dialogue to ensure this situation never arises again.”

Last month around 100 protesters gathered outside the House of Commons to to protest against the RSPCA’s actions.

Original story can be found here.

“We believe that the RSPCA act was illegal, unnecessary and high-handed,” said Gauri Dasa, President of Bhaktivedanta Manor, who led the team of monks serving the legal notice today. “The Hindu community in Britain is appalled by the lack of integrity in their behaviour. They want the facts to come out. No compensation will be adequate to address the loss of Gangotri, whose life was taken through deception and damaged the feelings of our faith community.”

At a meeting last fortnight with the Justice for Gangotri Taskforce, Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for Environment and Rural Affairs assured the community that a ‘protocol’ would be defined by DEFRA on how to deal with animals at Hindu temples.

“Qualified vets who were caring for Gangotri never thought she should be killed,” continued Gauri Dasa. “But what is shocking is that the RSPCA, without any form of apology or remorse, now suddenly started writing to Hindu community
leaders inviting them for a round table meeting.”

Last week, Peter Ainsworth MP, Shadow Secretary for the Environment visited the temple and issued a statement saying that the RSPCA acted wrongly and the killing should not have happened as it did. Peter Ainsworth MP 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. It is clear to me that what happened on 13th December was not acceptable or right.”

The Justice for Gangotri Taskforce is supported by major Hindu organizations around the country including the National Council of Hindu Temples UK, Hindu Forum of Britain, Vishwa Hindu Parishad UK, International Society for Krishna Consciousness and the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple, Neasden.

For more information, contact:
Radha Mohan das on 07818 815 978 (m)
Radha.Mohan.BCS@gmail.com

Later, Gauri Das and Ramesh Kallidai explained to Canon Wilkinson the sequence of events that had taken place on 11th, 12th and 13th December and made clear their profound distress and concern at the killing of Gangotri by RSPCA personnel and the manner in which it had been brought about, which they consider to have been illegitimate. Gauri das spoke about taking part with many other Hindu religious leaders in the scattering of Gangotri’s ashes in the Ganges. He also described to Canon Wilkinson the ways in which the wider Hindu community was in discussion with Members of Parliament, The Minister of State at DEFRA and many other organisations and indivdiuals. He explained their hopes for a code of practice to avoid any repetition and for special provision to protect animals at Hindu holy sites.

Canon Wilkinson said that he would be willing to assist in the discussions on these measures and would inform the Archbishop fully about the visit and the issues and concerns that had been raised. He thanked Gauri Das and all at the Temple for their warm hospitality and courteousness.

On conclusion of the visit Ramesh Kallidai commented that “We were delighted that Canon Guy Wilkinson visited the temple at the request of the Archbishop to assess the situation regarding Gangotri. The support and understanding from the Archbishop has been most encouraging to our community. We hope DEFRA will reciprocate to our concerns about the future safety of animals cared by Hindu temples”

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/

Two months before, the RSPCA had been invited to examine the cow, which had been injured by a bull and was being tended by vets. The RSPCA returned hours later, claiming to hold a court warrant, to give the cow a lethal injection. The Hindus were horrified. The following day the RSPCA applied for the warrant that it had claimed to have already.

As Gangotri’s ashes were being scattered on the Ganges, the demonstration in London widened into a general protest against what many people, including specialist lawyers and vets, regard as the high-handed actions of RSPCA officials. As one of our biggest charities, with donations of more than £100 million a year, it relies on massive favourable media coverage, reinforced every time it brings criminal prosecutions against animal abusers. However, in a succession of recent cases, the courts have severely criticised the methods used by the RSPCA to mount such prosecutions, against people who were wholly innocent of the serious charges brought against them.

These cases and the publicity surrounding them have caused intense anguish to those wrongly accused. In two cases in Harwich and Portsmouth before Christmas, Nigel Weller, a Lewes solicitor, finally exposed how RSPCA witnesses had concerted their evidence in advance, using a proforma document to “coach” witnesses in what to say - about which magistrates and a judge expressed grave concerns. In each case the defendants, accused of depriving a dog and two cats of a balanced diet, were acquitted on all charges.

In the same month Maidstone Crown Court heard the appeal of Craig Sargent, a Kent farmer, who had been fined £12,000 and ordered to pay £20,000 costs on five charges brought by the RSPCA including four of cruelty. After hearing his barrister, Jonathan Rich (briefed by Mr Weller), Judge Jeremy Carey agreed that the RSPCA had been unable to produce any evidence of cruelty.

In Norwich in January, Judge Philip Browning was critical of the RSPCA’s conduct in seizing a much-loved pony, Florry, which had been with Martin and Gina Griffin’s family for 20 years. The RSPCA held Florry in an animal sanctuary for over a year, claiming that she was “emaciated”. The Griffins’ vet, Charlotte Mayers, made it clear from the start that vets from her practice were treating the horse, which was laminitic and needed to be kept thin for that reason. Colin Vogel, the author of the RSPCA’s own veterinaray manual on horse-care supported her views. At one point the RSPCA had wanted to put Florry down, but after 15 months she was finally re-united with her owners.

In February, after another five days in court, a cruelty case against Annette Nally, owner of Holly, a German shepherd, was called into question when it was found that RSPCA documents alleging her failure to treat the dog properly for ear and bowel conditions related to another dog. Holly died six months after the RSPCA had seized her (as Miss Nally only discovered five months later). In acquitting her on all charges, Judge David Chinnery praised her obvious care for her animals and her “impressive” evidence, and also that of her chief witness, Colin Vogel.

The Self-Help Group of farmers and others has existed for nearly two decades to put anyone experiencing difficulty with the RSPCA in touch with specialist welfare lawyers and vets. They have never been busier and cite scores of other instances in recent years. None is more shocking than that of PC Jonathan Bell, a Stoke-on-Trent policeman who in 2004 was called to a night-time disturbance where a cat had been squashed flat by a car. The RSPCA could not be contacted, so he put the cat out of its misery with a spade.

PC Bell was prosecuted for cruelty by the RSPCA and the case dragged on for two years, at a cost of £50,000. After his initial acquittal, the RSPCA appealed. Finally, in April 2006, the High Court threw out the case, prompting the Federation of Companion Animal Societies to comment that some of the RSPCA’s prosecutions “seem to have a political agenda” rather than being concerned with “animal welfare”. The growing number of people who fall foul of that agenda would heartily agree.

Original article can be found here.

After flying down the Delhi-Agra highway we reached the turning for Vrindavan. Gangotri’s final ceremonies  would take place in this holy town situated on the banks of the sacred river Yamuna.

Upon our arrival we had a brief meeting with Sri Padma Nabha Goswami, one of the leading Goswamis of the Sri Sri Radha Raman Temple. He was in the process of making final preparations for the event, which would take place at 4pm the following day. He informed us that after Gangotri’s ashes are ceremoniously placed in the river Yamuna, the evening Arati to the river would be offered in her name. We gave Goswamji our press package and he sent if off to be translated into Hindi for the local media.

Soon we arrived at Keshi Ghat, a beautiful and ornate red sandstone palace and bathing place on the bank of the river. The arrangements were awe-inspiring. Flags, flowers, ceremonial paraphernalia and a large banner in Hindi pronouncing the significance of the event.

The Brahmins and saints sat us down as prayers were recited. Each prayer was related to Krishna, the Holy land of Vrindavan and the Yamuna. After having bathed Gangotri’s ashes in the pot with water, milk and flower petals, we lifted the final container and together sprinkled them into the Yamuna.

Gangotri was now fully emerged in India’s most sacred rivers. We all felt an inexplicable sense of joy as our little English cow had now attained the greatest respect and honour possible. Her life would not be in vain; she undoubtedly attained the greatest spiritual benefit. Simultaneously she has become the very catalyst that will make cow protection a reality in Britain. In just two months she has become a household word in Britain and India.

“She is a very special soul” we were repeatedly told by the sadhus.

It was now time to begin the grand offering of lamps to the Yamuna in remembrance of Gangotri. The priests had arranged the most beautiful display including hundreds of lamps which all surrounded the main lamp, which itself had over one hundred wicks.

As 108 prayers were offered we all took handfuls of flower petals and cast them into the water. Then, brass vessels with spouts at the bottom were filled with milk which then flowed like a fountain, turning the river water white as it splashed onto it’s surface. Next, hundreds of floating lamps were placed delicately on the water. They floated down-stream twinkling with warmth as night began to fall.

Then, accompanied by drums and symbols, the large lamp, sprinkled with crushed camphor, was set ablaze. The main priest, a small, plump and joyful mendicant, raised the lamp and dramatically waved it in circles. This was the offering to the Yamuna. It was more than a spectacle to watch as the priest lunged back and forward waving the massive lamp, which lit up the night sky.  Finally we all joined together to sing a song glorifying the river Yamuna.

Our journey with Gangotri’s ashes was complete. We had fulfilled all that we had planned to do. We honoured Gangotri, a cow that had sadly been killed whilst in our care. We had honoured her in the highest way possible, in the presence of the priests and saints of India and in the holiest of rivers. Continually surrounded by media and public interest, our campaign for “Justice for Gangotri” has now entered it’s very determined next phase.

Hare Krishna.

Quotes

Sri Padma Nabha Goswami “According to the scriptures, all of the Gods and demigods reside in the body of the cow. Her products called Panca Gavya in Sanskrit are said to even purify a person of sin. The tragic and unexpected death of Gangotri has given great grief to all the religious person of India. From the holy town of Vrindavan, where Krishna passed his time caring for cows, we give our full support to the Justice for Gangotri campaign. The British government should take care of the sentiments and feelings of all the religious people under their jurisdiction.”

Sri Nrsimhadeva Goswami “The cow is a most gentle and auspicious creature. She contributes to our nourishments in an incomparable way, turning simple grass into the most nutritious food stuffs. Even her dung and urine are of great utility having medicinal qualities. To kill such a sacred creatures is very wrong and brings inauspicious reactions.”

A Prayer by Srila Rupa Goswami:

“The river Yamuna is so merciful that anyone sprinkled with a single drop of her water is pardoned for the most heinous crimes. She excites the flow of love for Lord Krishna within our hearts, fulfilling all the desires of those fortunate souls who reside on her shores. May that Yamuna devi, daughter of the resplendent Sun God purify my existence.“

Part 2 - Justice for Gangotri Delegation Arrives in Haridwar, Gateway to the Himalayas

After a five hour drive from Delhi we arrived at the Patajali Yoga Pith Guest House in Haridwar where we were kindly received and rested for the night. The ancient town of Haridwar at the foot of the Himalayas is considered to be the gateway to the heavens. All those desiring to attain liberation from material life visit and bath in the Ganges here. It is also a favourite place of Hindus for submerging the ashes of the dead. Early the next morning the car of the District Magistrate arrived to lead our convoy of vehicles into the centre of the holy town. At the town’s foremost and crowded bathing ghat, on the very edge of the Ganges our priests had set up an elaborate array of items for worship. We then sat as they chanted Vedic hymns and offered lamps, incense, turmeric and red powder (kumkum) to the Ganges and the pot containing Gangotri’s ashes.

As the crowds and media bustled around us final prayers were offered and altogether we scattered Gangotri’s ashes into the very fast flowing current of the Ganges. As the Gangotri’s ashes drifted away and deep into the Ganges, final lamps were offered and blessings were given that she would attain her resting place in the spiritual realm of Lord Krishna.

Part 3 - Vrindavan, Land of Krishna’s Cows, our Next and Final Stop

On the 21st Feb 3.30pm at Keshi Ghat on the Bank of the Yamuna river in the track of land famous as the place where Lord Krishna Himself cared for cows, our delegation will be received by the prominent Goswamis (high priests) to perform the concluding ceremonies for Gangotri. Her final ashes will be scattered in the holy waters of the river Yamuna.
Another name for Vrindavan is Gokul, which means the abode of cows. Five thousand years ago Lord Krishna appeared in this area and grew up performing pastimes of caring for cows. Lord Krishna taught that cows should be honoured and taken care of as mother. The milk, yoghurt and ghee are not only our most nutritious forms of food but are also the very substances used by the priests to perform the Vedic ceremonies. We have always trusted cows’ milk next to our own mother’s milk. Therefore the cow is the embodiment of nourishment and sacrifice. It is forbidden for all Hindus to kill the cow under any circumstances.

It has been an incredible journey to India’s most treasured holy places, Gangotri has become a household name throughout the country. Everyone is saying that she must have been a very fortunate and special soul. It is most appropriate that we perform the concluding ceremonies in the town of Vrindavan, as it is Krishna’s own abode manifest on earth.

Raj Joshi stated “The death of Gangotri gave great sadness and grief to our community in the UK. As we have now travelled all over India and placed Gangotri’s ashes with great reverence in each holy site, our sadness lifts. In Vrindavan we will have closure, but that closure is just the beginning of our campaign to seek Justice for Gangotri. The RSPCA made a mistake and must now face the consequences”.

Mahamantra das “I have been deeply moved by the visiting delegation. As a Hindu Leader of India I have been blessed to be the host of this historic visit by the UK delegation. We will now make sure that they have every resource and support to push on for justice”.

Finally the signs came up welcoming us to Prayag and we saw the thousands of tents of the pilgrims, the sight was overwhelming, such a huge expanse of land, rivers and site of the Magh Mela festival. We were received by the head of the entire area and of the festival. As we got to the bank of the Ganges, Mahamantra das then greeted us and introduced us to whole host of VIPs and explained that for the whole day the mela festival loudspeakers were announcing that Gangotri’s ashes were arriving for ceremony and that the spiritual leaders would all join us.

When we got seated on one of the boats then the spiritual leaders began to appear. First came the famous Sankaracarya of Kashi, surrounded by other holy men from Naimisaranya and the Himalayas. I could feel that something historic was beginning to happen. The leading sadhu began lecturing strongly about the cow being the universal mother.

The priests chanted prayers and offered lamps, yoghurt, tumeric, Kum Kum and flowers. We bathed Gangotris ashes with all the items and then the assembly grabbed pot containing the ashes and along with shouts of “Gangotri Mata ki jaya” as we scattered them into the water.

I then asked the assembled spiritual leaders what Gangotri’s destination would be since her ashes were now submerged in the sacred waters and they said “she has attained Goloka (the spiritual world).

The next day, we drove from Allahabad to Varanasi, the world’s most ancient city and holy place. Today Varansi remains a place of immense spiritual importance and has been the chosen place of Hindus for their final rites and scattering the ashes of their dead for thousands of years.

On arriving at Dasasvamedha Ghat we were greeted by the City Mayor, the Chief Magistrate and spiritual leaders Swami Prajananda ji Maharaj and Pujya Mahamantra das, amidst crowds of city residents. They carrying Gangotri’s ashes by procession we boarded a large decorated boat .

Ancient prayers were sung and flowers incense and lamps were offered. The most important moment arrived, together we took the second container of ashes and scattered them from the side of the boat into the Ganges while the media crowded for photos. With the greatest reverence and sadness at the atrocity of Gangotri’s killing, the spiritual leaders committed her ashes, an act bring peace to her soul.

As the news of the Gangotri tragedy swept across India, great upset arose at how their faith tradition could have been undermined with no right to appeal. The spiritual leaders, feeling very strongly about the global impact of this act committed by the RSPCA at a Shrine in the name of animal welfare, have decided to fly the final pot of her ashes by helicopter to the Himalayan source of the river Ganges- the Gangotri.