There are numerous associations for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals around the world and some millions of pet lovers are rendering yeomen service to the cause they believe in. The situation is fast changing like every other thing around us. Cruelty to Animals has become secondary. What can cruelty to animals do? It can cause physical pain, curtail freedom, isolate from its kith and kin, partly crush its spirit, make it a victim of medical trials, convert into a stuffed decorative item and even cause its death – yes, death to its body and not soul which is imperishable. By the way, what is a body without soul? The atman is all-important.
In the good old days, parents used to name their children after their elders out of respect and call them by a pet name out of affection, convenience, brevity, preserve hierarchy among children (ex: Chotu) and so on. When a child does something mischievous, they used to call the child after a pet or domesticated animal; they meant no offence to the child or animal. If any, it used to be a way expressing their concealed admiration of the child’s mischief.
Karna got a shaap for inadvertently killing a cow, and paid for it with his life during the Great War. Yudhistir refused to enter Swarg until the dog following him is given the same red carpet entry and with equal respect. Some animals acquired divine status. Yes, examples galore. India has a rich tradition of treating animals as equals or superior.
Our politicians have forgotten the vast cultural heritage and spirit with which Indian languages in vogue are spoken. All politicians, metaphorically speaking, are the birds of the same feather. Our Constitution has not denied them their fundamental right/freedom to address their brother politicians with choice expressions and expletives. Yet, by calling other politicians by the name of an animal, they are insulting our revered animal world. This is not acceptable. This hurts the soul (of animals); crushes their spirit completely on being equated with most unholy of His creation.
The need of the hour is to set up an Association for Prevention of Equating Animals with Politicians.
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