Greenbelt Interfaith News
    World News

    November 1997

    Indian Hindus Seek Protection of Sacred Cows
    The Hindu

    The three-day All-India Hindu Conference in Hardwar, northern India, got off to a colourful start on October 20 with King Birendra of Nepal calling for a massive effort to imbibe present day needs and values in the Hindu philosophy to make it easily acceptable by people from all walks of life.

    The problems plaguing the world did not originate from any religion, community, country or region. These problems could be solved by a proper understanding of humanity and Hinduism known for its vast and liberal thoughts could be used to spread the message of brotherhood and development, King Birendra said.

    Blessing the gathering, Shri Jayendra Saraswathi, Shankaracharya of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, wanted the people to shun materialism and learn to live happily with whatever they had. Nature provides enough for everyone's needs and the world could become a beautiful place to live in if all began to love others, he said. He wanted Hindus to develop themselves into model beings rather than finding fault with others.

    Mr. Ashok Singhal, executive president of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, in his hour-long address delved over various facets of Hinduism. The sole objective of the conference was to spread awareness of the teachings of the sanatana dharama all over the world and for "forging unity of the Baudhs and the Hindus''.

    The Rashtriya Swayam Sewak Sangh (RSS) chief, Prof. Rajendra Singh, wanted a total ban on the slaughter of the holy cow which provided immense milk and draught power.

    The Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister, Mr. Digvijay Singh, delved over the various measures he had taken to promote the welfare of the cow in his State. While increasing the grant for the upkeep of mosques, his government had also raised the money for the upkeep of temples from Rs.30 lakhs to Rs.1 crore, he said.

    Organised under the joint auspices of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham and the Vishwa Hindu Mahasangh, the conference attracted a large number of visitors from across the country and abroad. Most of the star guests like former President, Mr. R. Venkataraman and present and past BJP Chief Ministers, however, did not arrive at the inaugural session.

    Next Article

    U.S. News: Muslim Woman Testifies Before Senate Committee on Workplace Religious Freedom Act

    HOME November 1997 Index

    © 1997 The Hindu & Paralogic Corporation
    This article was republished with permission.