by Anita Singh
Disease and destruction as forms of Divine Retribution are part of most religious lore. Though much-scoffed at and ridiculed by the proponents of Modern Science, there is, undoubtedly a kernel of truth in the notion.
So leprosy was not “The Living Death”. Merely a highly contagious disease. The 7 Plagues were not divine Retribution for harassment of His Chosen People. Merely natural occurring parasitical life forms developing in the Flood Plains of Egypt. Nor is Aids an expression of God’s wrath against Sodomy.
So what is this “kernel of truth” of which we speak? Climate Change for one. How about Lumpy Disease? Though an ardent fan of the present Government, the decision to ban cow slaughter without thinking the thing through, has created a Living Hell for the very creatures, whose value they claim to espouse. A bull is not a dog that one may feed from the crumbs of one’s table. Abandoned, starved and uncared for, they are ripe victims for contagion. Is this, then, the Wrath of God?
Nature is remorseless. A species survives only when it is in the fitness of things. Is a clean death not preferable to this life? These horrifying diseases and starvation? This humiliating wandering?
25 Sep, witnessed the 3rd case of Lumpy disease in the misbegotten swamp that is Khasra 308, Sec 31. A week ago, a bull, well hidden among the wild undergrowth, shrubs and trees died a lonely and painful death. It was only when the stench became unbearable, that it’s rotted maggot-infested carcass was discovered. Khasra 308. What should we say about Khasra 308? So –called Authority Land, is clear of all encumbrances. But, Noida Authority is least interested in resolving land issues or repossessing its own lands. The acre wide open area becomes a swamp during the monsoons, an unhappy breeding ground for the mosquitoes and fleas that have been spreading Lumpy disease with such efficacy. Just beyond, the heavy wild growth provides a haven for pigs, snakes, rats and other vermin. It is also the anointed feeding spot by some wrong –minded so called Animal Activists. It is a shining example of the adage ‘The Road to Hell is paved with Good Intentions” so Gauvansh Rakshaks. Animal Rights, Swatccha Bharat. Rule of Law, all collaborate to create a Killing Field.
On 11 Sept, the third bovine collapsed near the boundary wall. The Access Road was blocked by… you guessed it: Encroachment. What followed was a furious confrontation between Animal Activists, Residents, and the RWA. The actual Authority, the appointed Noida Official was only interested in Getting it Over With. And the cops nonchalantly watched the melee.. The Sector had struggled to erect the fence, to protect itself from sundry thieves, miscreants, and pigs, etc. The safety of the Sector is completely breached by the removal of the fence. The police were least interested in removing the encroachment. It’s so much easier to bulldoze peaceful middle class gentry, than Gaon-walas. It was curious to see so-called Anti Animal EC Members, affected residents with young children, die-hard “anti-Bull” octogenarians buckle under, because it was unbearable to see the semi-comatose bull being attacked and ravaged by the swine nipping at its flanks.
Then followed the thoughtless, cruel extraction of the animal by its purported “well-wishers”. A noose was tied around the neck of the bull and its head roughly yanked over the stone wall. It could have strangulated, but fortunately, or unfortunately, did not. It lay for a few moments, suspended halfway over the wall, while iron rods were inserted under its body, onto the lift of the tow away truck. Its legs would probably have broken if a concerned Resident had not warned the driver. The terror stricken eyes of the bull as it was towed away remain etched in my memory forever.
It does not require rocket science to devise a leather harness, or a pulley system to extract an animal from inaccessible areas. It is only a paucity of genuine concern for the living that prevents us from finding a good and simple solution. Again I ask. Is a clean death not preferable to this life? even as we go to press, only a deafening silence is the response to our request for a health camp to be held on the site.
Ps: just received information that the 3rd bull has also died.
