The use of milk during our religious festivals, especially Maha Shivratri was highlighted by knowledgeable activist Shri Nitin Mehta who is staunch vegan. His campaign has put vegetarianism on world map, especially here in England where one in ten people preferring vegetarian diet. Indeed more vegetarian restaurants are being opened than traditional ones in many parts of England. This is due to “Baily Bridge Brigade” at work promoting vegetarianism. We also lead Europe where understanding of vegetarianism is minimal.
No one can deny that extreme cruelty is involved in producing milk. There are few dairy farms here that produce milk in traditional way, following into the foot-steps of Hare Krishna’s dairy farm in Watford, without involving cruelty or killing new born calves. It may cost double the price but I am sure most Indians (Hindus, Sikhs and Jains) would not mind paying a bit extra if cows are treated humanely.
After all cows are closely associated with our favourite deity Lord Krishna whose birthday, Janmastami is celebrated with such panache at Watford Hare Krishna Temple, attracting fifty thousand worshippers over the festive period, largest gathering of Hindus on an auspicious day outside India!
While using non-dairy milk, such as soya and almond may be fine but it may not be available in many countries, may be expensive and why waste such resourceful dietary food which can provide much needed nutrition to under nourished children, especially in developing world.
If my memory serves me right, I remember some temples in East Africa used to encourage worshippers to put just a spoon of milk in a jug of water to pour at the feet of deity which will reduce milk usage by 99%. Perhaps it is time to mention ghee, clarified butter, as it is also widely used in performing havens; not only wasting valuable product but it also pollutes air, as it creates so much fumes in an enclosed place, affecting children’s health.
Here we use goats’ milk in our home instead of cow’s milk; although I must admit I am not sure whether any cruelty is involved in production of goat’s milk. It would be nice if Hindu community could persuade some supermarkets to put on their shelves cows’ milk produced without cruelty that may financially benefit to some extent Hare Krishna temple if they want to take advantage of such an opening!
Kumudini Valambia
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