Theos-Talk Archives (June 2002 Message tt00043)

Here is a letter from Theosophical Order of Service. I have requested the 
e-mail addresses of the Prime Minister and the Chairman of the Cattle 
Commission so that those interested can send e-mail responses.

mkr

June 7, 2002


Dear Friends,

The International President of the TOS, Mrs Radha Burnier, is calling for 
our help on an urgent matter.

The Government of India is currently formulating its tenth five-year plan 
and the meat sub-committee has recommended the development of the large 
scale slaughter of animals. It wishes to encourage the export and import of 
meat and to promote the eating of flesh by Indians all in the name of 
foreign exchange, economic development and modernization. As you can 
imagine, this is contrary to the country’s beautiful spiritual tradition of 
ahimsa and represents a further step down the path Western nations have 
taken of the industrial exploitation of animals without regard for the 
environment and human health.

Radha asks us to write to the Prime Minister of India to express our 
concern while there is still time to do so. A limited period has been set 
by the Government for public consultation before the new five-year plan is 
adopted. Radha believes that letters from members of the TS and TOS around 
the world, written either as individuals or as members of a TOS group or 
branch, will bring real pressure to bear on the Government.

Please take the time to write to the Prime Minister (address below), 
sending a copy of your letter to:

Mr Dharampal
Chairman Cattle Commission of India
Krishi Bhavan
New Delhi 110 001
India

Mr Arjun Gopalaratnam
Campaign Manager
The Theosophical Society
Adyar
Chennai, 600 020
India

Sample letters are provided below but please write in your own words. It is 
not necessary to write at great length. Your help in this matter is greatly 
appreciated. If you are writing in a language other than English, please 
try to attach a précis in English…



Yours fraternally,

Diana Dunningham Chapotin








SAMPLE LETTER 1:

Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Prime Minister of India
No.7, Race Course Road
New Delhi 110 001
India

Dear Sir,

As you know, the spiritual wisdom and ethical heritage of India have had an 
impact on hundreds of thousands of individuals around the world as modern 
communication and scholarship have made them more accessible. India, by its 
profound philosophy and religious ethos, and by a galaxy of great Indians 
who have upheld the importance of ahimsa in all areas of life, stands as a 
world leader in the preservation of certain timeless values.

I/We see that the meat sub-committee of your 10th Planning Commission is 
recommending an increase in the slaughter of animals, in the export and 
import of meat and in flesh consumption by your citizens. This shocks and 
saddens those of us for whom India has always stood for kindness toward the 
animal kingdom.

I/We respectfully suggest that this exploitation is a most unfortunate 
policy and request that you do your utmost to maintain India’s 
centuries-old stance of compassion toward all living creatures. It seems a 
tragedy to take India down a road which so many nations have already 
learned is a dead-end. There are a great number of studies and statistics 
available showing that large-scale animal breeding is an environmental and 
economic disaster in the long term.

I/We urge you and your fellow ministers most strongly to decline the meat 
sector’s recommendations and to do all in your power to explore alternative 
sources of income, livelihood and nutritional supplies for India.


Yours sincerely,



SAMPLE LETTER 2:

Respected Sir,

As a friend of India, a country with a great spiritual tradition of 
non-violence, I am distressed and concerned about the policies recommended 
by the meat sector for your tenth five-year plan.

I appeal to you, Mr Vajpayee, as custodian of the nation, to intervene in 
this matter to ensure:

· a reversal of the policy of cattle slaughter
· a halt to all meat export
· the phasing out of government support of meat production

Thank you very much for your consideration of my proposals.



Yours sincerely,