Goa has been the great melting pot of cultures and faiths, where Hindus, Christians, Muslims, Sikhs and others live in such harmony, sharing lives and festivals.
Before liberation under the dictatorial regime when Goans spoke more Portuguese and less Hindi there was no problem for people of different food habits as to what to eat and how to dress while going for a swim in the Arabian Sea.
But after freedom, many non-Goans from other states of India and foreigners from other countries of the world have made Goa their home and have settled here for good. They consume vegetarian and non-vegetarians food — mutton, beef, pork, fish, etc and drink desi-feni and firgi-whisky etc.
But now in liberated Goa, some fanatics, in the name of religion, are opposing cow slaughter as it is revered by the majority class. This move to ban ‘cow slaughter’ affects minority communities; it is the essential food of Catholics and it is the trade of the Muslims. This ban on cow slaughter shows dog in the manger attitude. What the majority does not eat; the minority should also not eat.
Secondly, this ban will affect tourism traffic because it is the food which foreign tourists relish and stopping beef will end in killing the goose that lays the golden egg. Therefore, it is the duty of the present government to take suitable action against trouble makers who disrupt normal supply of beef.
If this resistance is due to love for animals why don’t they take care of them and feed them; why are they allowed to roam on highways and low-ways causing accidents that result in crippling people for life and causing deaths to many?
The Animal Protection Act has created enough problems for mankind such as menace of stray dogs and rabies which our government has failed to control. And now it does not require some authority to figure out how this ban on cow slaughter will play on us.
Many say, and a few believe that politicians create chaos in the country because that is the only way to be in power. So people go on fighting and they go on managing somehow proving to the world that they are very much needed and without them the country will fall apart. Confusion started with ‘Ghar wapsi’ (re-conversion); offensive remarks on Mother Theresa and now ban on cow slaughter
“People of other religions are not different, they are our brothers…”
Yes, some one has said, “Religion was never created to cause riots and confusion.
Religion was created to provide peace.
Religion was not meant to divide human beings.
Religion was to unite human beings.
But our minds are like scissors that cuts and divides.
But the job of a needle is to stitch, it joins and unites.”
