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Hindus protest over cow slaughter Hindus protest over cow slaughter
(10 minutes later)
Hundreds of Hindus are to protest over allegations that the RSPCA killed their 13-year-old sacred cow by lethal injection while they worshipped.Hundreds of Hindus are to protest over allegations that the RSPCA killed their 13-year-old sacred cow by lethal injection while they worshipped.
Gangotri, a Belgian blue-jersey cross, was slaughtered at Bhaktivedanta Manor in Hertfordshire.Gangotri, a Belgian blue-jersey cross, was slaughtered at Bhaktivedanta Manor in Hertfordshire.
Vinay Tanna, the temple's spokesman, said they would have taken legal action to prevent the slaughter had they known to was taking place. Vinay Tanna, the temple's spokesman, said they would have taken legal action to prevent the slaughter had they known it was taking place.
Delegates from the temple will protest at RSPCA headquarters on Boxing Day.Delegates from the temple will protest at RSPCA headquarters on Boxing Day.
Mr Tanna said: "We are holding a peaceful prayer protest at the way Gangotri was killed. The RSPCA made the equivalent of a citizen's arrest - they went in and made the decision to kill the cow immediately. Given the chance we would have taken legal action to try to stop it."Mr Tanna said: "We are holding a peaceful prayer protest at the way Gangotri was killed. The RSPCA made the equivalent of a citizen's arrest - they went in and made the decision to kill the cow immediately. Given the chance we would have taken legal action to try to stop it."
Meanwhile, a religious ceremony to mark the end of the mourning period for the cow will be attended by 700 Hindus at the temple.Meanwhile, a religious ceremony to mark the end of the mourning period for the cow will be attended by 700 Hindus at the temple.
SacrilegeSacrilege
Mr Tanna said: "The Yajna, or fire sacrifice, is held because the killing of a Hindu cow in the temple is very inauspicious indeed."Mr Tanna said: "The Yajna, or fire sacrifice, is held because the killing of a Hindu cow in the temple is very inauspicious indeed."
Two hundred delegates will attend the protest in Southwater, near Horsham, West Sussex.Two hundred delegates will attend the protest in Southwater, near Horsham, West Sussex.
Cows are sacred to Hindus and the killing of one is considered sacrilegious.Cows are sacred to Hindus and the killing of one is considered sacrilegious.
Hindu community leader Gauri Das said police bundled away monks attending to the sick cow and alleged that the head farmer was kept talking while a lethal injection was administered inside the barn.Hindu community leader Gauri Das said police bundled away monks attending to the sick cow and alleged that the head farmer was kept talking while a lethal injection was administered inside the barn.
Mr Das insisted said the cow was sick but had no disease and was being cared for by temple residents and visiting worshippers.Mr Das insisted said the cow was sick but had no disease and was being cared for by temple residents and visiting worshippers.
SufferingSuffering
The temple runs The Cow Protection Project and allows old cows and bulls to die naturally.The temple runs The Cow Protection Project and allows old cows and bulls to die naturally.
In a statement the RSPCA said: "We knew the cow has been suffering from painful and infected sores, her limbs had become wasted and her breathing difficult.In a statement the RSPCA said: "We knew the cow has been suffering from painful and infected sores, her limbs had become wasted and her breathing difficult.
"Three separate vets, including from the Royal College of Vets, from Defra and an independent vet, have all agreed that the animal was suffering and should be immediately euthanised.""Three separate vets, including from the Royal College of Vets, from Defra and an independent vet, have all agreed that the animal was suffering and should be immediately euthanised."
In July Shambo the sacred bullock was killed after testing positive for bovine TB at a temple in Skanda Vale, Carmarthenshire.In July Shambo the sacred bullock was killed after testing positive for bovine TB at a temple in Skanda Vale, Carmarthenshire.
Monks lost a long-running legal challenge to save Shambo and staged a protest ceremony as he was taken away.Monks lost a long-running legal challenge to save Shambo and staged a protest ceremony as he was taken away.