Page:Speeches And Writings MKGandhi.djvu/475

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nation whose nourishment is chiefly derived from milk allow this important article of food to be thus exploited ? How can men be heedless of the national health, and think of enriching themselves, by such an improper use of this article of diet ? Milk and its products are of such paramount value to the nation that they deserve to be controlled by the municipalitfes. What are we doing about them ?

I have just returned from the scene of Bakr-Id riots. For an insignificant cause, the two communities quarrelled, mischievous men took advantage of it, and a mere spark became a blaze. We were found to be helpless. We have been obliged to depend only upon Government assistance. This is a significant illustration of the condition I am trying to describe*

It will not be inopportune to dwell for a moment on the question of cow-protection. It is an important ques- tion. And yet it is entrusted to the so-called cow-pro- tection sccieties. The protection of cows is an old custom. It has originated in the necessity of the condi- tion of the country. Protection of its cows is incumbent upon a country, 73 per cent, of whose population lives upon agriculture, and uses only bullocks for it. In such a country even meat-eaters should abstain from beef- eating. These natural causes should be enough justifi- cation for not killing cows. *But here we have to face a peculiar situation. The chief meaning of cow-protection seems to be to prevent cows from going into the hands .of our Mussalman brethren, and being used as food. The governing class seem to need beef. In their behalf thousands of cows are slaughtered daily. We take no steps to prevent the slaughter. We hardly make any .attempt to prevent the cruel torture of cows by certain

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