Patna Vegan Activists Stage Protest Against Cow and Calf Cruelty
Members of an animal rights group, dedicated to vegan culinary habits and lifestyle, organized a significant mass awareness activity against cruelty to cows and calves at the Shri Krishna Puri Park gate in Patna on Friday. This event was a crucial part of the nationwide Republic week public action programme, which is currently underway in 12 metropolitan and three-tier cities across the country. The Patna group boasts a diverse membership, including both offline and online participants, who are united in their mission to promote ethical treatment of animals.
Understanding Veganism and Its Principles
Unlike vegetarians, vegans abstain from consuming meat or any products derived from animals. Mushkan, one of the activists involved, explained, "We use organic materials as edible items as an alternative to meat, milk, and milk products for proteins and other supplementary nutrition." This lifestyle choice is rooted in a commitment to avoiding harm to animals and promoting sustainable living practices.
Allegations of Cruelty in Beef and Dairy Industries
The activists raised serious concerns about the beef and dairy industries, alleging that they are fundamentally based on cruelty to animals. Rishika, the spokesperson for the Patna animal rights group, highlighted a stark contradiction: "India is the third largest beef exporter in the world and at the same time it is also the largest milk producer. The beef industry is based on cruelty to cows. As for the dairy sector, inhuman practices are involved here, too, which the common people ignore."
Mushkan elaborated on the hidden cruelties within the dairy sector, stating, "The cruelty to cows and their male and female calves remains hidden. Today, no one wants a male calf, and they are either abandoned and let free to roam around, or subjected to death when too young." She detailed several disturbing practices, including:
- Artificial impregnation of cows by injecting semen into their private parts through hand insertion.
- Stuffing the skin of a female calf with chaff and placing it beside a cow before milking to stimulate milk production.
- Administering injections to cows prior to milking to enhance output.
"Such cruelty-related practices are numerous," Mushkan added, emphasizing that the group's primary goal is to raise public awareness about these issues.
Community Participation and Broader Impact
The awareness program saw active participation from other animal rights activists, including Shaurya, Raj Kumar, and Rishika. Their collective efforts aim to spark a broader conversation about animal welfare and encourage more people to adopt compassionate lifestyles. By engaging in such initiatives during Republic week, the activists hope to align their message with national values of justice and ethical responsibility.
This event underscores a growing movement in Patna and beyond, where individuals are increasingly advocating for the rights of animals and challenging industries that perpetuate cruelty. As awareness spreads, it may lead to greater scrutiny of agricultural practices and inspire policy changes to protect vulnerable animals.
