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Author(s): Udayvallabhvijay
Publisher: Pragna Prabodh Parivar

Page 69

any talk of prohibition on slaughter, it is either foolishness or prejudice or mere lack of proper knowledge to associate Jains exclusively with the subject. : It is another thing that Jains are the happiest lot whenever any prohibition or restriction is imposed on animal slaughter. However, if Jains had the power (which some people mistakenly believe that Jains have) lakhs of animals which are slaughtered today in the country would not have been slaughtered nor would any new licences be issued for slaughter houses. There is one more issue currently agitating the Society. There is a lot of angry noise about what is described as 'beef'. Let us understand the technical terminology. Flesh of a cow progeny animal is called beef', flesh of buffalo is called meat' and flesh of sheep and goat is called `mutton'. As is the situation, practically all over the country there is a ban on slaughter of cow and if beef is found anywhere and it is obtained by illegal slaughter, naturally the law will take its own course. It is true that no one is allowed to take law and order in his hands. However, if someone illegally slaughters cows and trades in beef in violation of relevant laws, is it permissible? One must keep in mind that the anger and agitation which is seen amongst people about illegal slaughter of cows is due to violation of law and not because of hurt sentiments of Jains. It would be interesting to go a little deeper into the subject. The Supreme Court of India had delivered an important judgement about 18 years ago. This case was before the
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