The National Council of Hindu Temples UK (NCHT) is shocked and outraged after a cow was killed at the Bhaktivedanta Manor in Letchmore Heath, Watford - the largest Hindu Temple in Britain, while worshippers were at prayer. The cow, named Gangotri, a 13 year-old Belgian Blue and Jersey cross, was killed at 9.00 am at the Bhaktivedanta Manor. The temple claims that the cow was sick but had no disease and that it was being cared for by Temple residents and visiting worshippers.

NCHT understands that the Police ushered away monks who were in attendance of the sick cow, and the head farmer was kept talking, while a lethal injection was given to the cow. Sanjay Jagatia, General Secretary of NCHT said “Cows are sacred to Hindus, and the killing of a cow is considered to be an outrageous act. The RSPCA had committed a serious infringement of the community’s right after giving a lethal injection to the cow”.

According to reports, the RSPCA had been given a warrant to gain access into the Manor and said that notifying members of the Temple prior to administering the injection would have been contrary to their aims.

"This is shocking and duplicitous behaviour" said Gauri Das, the head of the community. "We have been deceived by those who had given us their word. The killing was conducted despite personal assurances given the previous day from RSPCA officers and police that due to religious sensitivities no immediate action would be taken to kill the cow. It was for this reason that, the previous day, the RSPCA together with local Hertfordshire police, had visited the Temple and engaged in lengthy discussions with us. They expressed their sensitivities, and the police gave us their assurances that we would be given time to pursue a legal recourse."

Bhaktivedanta Manor, Letchmore Heath, Watford, runs 'The Cow Protection Project' and allows old cows and bulls to die naturally. Head Farm Manager and former Royal Marine Stuart Coyle explained: "Gangotri was unable to walk, but due to her condition there was some tolerable discomfort".

Sudarshan Bhatia, President of NCHT concluded “we appeal to the Hindu community across the UK to show their support and raise their concerns of this despicable action by the Authorities. In addition we assure you that NCHT will be raising this issue on behalf of all the Hindu Temples across the UK, withthe Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP-Secretary of State for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, sympathetic MPs, the Head of DEFRA and the RSPCA”.

ABOUT THE NCHT

The National Council of Hindu Temples UK (NCHT) was established in 1978. It is one of the largest Hindu umbrella bodies linking Hindu Temples and works with them for the benefit of the Hindu community across the UK. It acts as a resource centre and one of the main consultative bodies on the matters relating to the British Hindu community, culture and religion and regularly interacts with many Government and Statutory Departments on interfaith dialogue, community consultations and capacity building in Temples, with the aim of advising and challenging legislation and policies that may affect the Hindu Community.

The main aims and objectives of NCHT UK are:

* To act as an Umbrella organisation to Hindu Temples across the UK;
* To promote the advancement, consensus, cooperation and unity of Hindus in the UK;
* To provide advice and information for Local Councils, Government Departments, Public & Education Authorities;
* To work with other faith groups for mutual appreciation of each others religion (community cohesion);
* To work for the eradication of discrimination faced by Hindus;
* To establish a position for the Hindu community within UK that is fair and based on human rights.