Swami Bhoomananda Theertha, a renowned Vedantin monk based in Kerala, has been at the forefront of reforms in temple rituals. His argument has been that Hindu scriptures call for scientific temper in all walks of life, including what is practised at temples. Almost single-handedly he put an end to the custom of singing obscene songs in Kodungallur Devi Temple and has been one of the first among monks to call for allowing entry of women of all ages into the Sabarimala shrine. Swami Bhoomananda's latest fight is against the practice of parading elephants in temples in Kerala. As the Jallikkattu controversy rages on, pitting culture and tradition against animal cruelty, he talks to News18’s Debayan Roy. How does religion, especially Hindusim, look at the issue of ethical treatment of animals? Why is it that each time a custom involving ill-treatment of animals is questioned, its supporters cite culture, religion and tradition in defence?
Religion in India is a philosophical thing. We have documented proof of what was written several thousands of years ago, in the form of Upanishad which is pre-historic, Ramayana which is ancient, and then Mahabharata that is around 5,000 years old. This is our legacy, which is known across the world. Now, a man who worships God is extremely full-hearted when he is offering things to please him. Hence, he offers God whatever he likes to have, which includes animals in varied form as well. We fail to understand that God is only a concept. It’s an imagination, which is extremely well founded. God will not speak to us or tell us if they prefer goat or chicken.
I was planning to file a petition regarding elephant torture in temples and now the petition is ready. The main contention of our petition is that matters concerning religion should not be judged only on the basis of Constitution and relevant laws but also with something which is much more significant and greater than them. It is the scriptures.
Why should we harm the elephants in these temple festivals is also the moot question. We have been taught ‘Ahimsa’ in our scriptures and people now just don’t know how to love these animals and they are just being used. It is absolute cruelty. In a temple in Thrissur, they collected some chemical compound and had rubbed it behind his hind legs and then set it on fire. What joy does one get out of it? I had even seen a photograph where three men were sitting on an elephant in a temple and the elephant was standing on three legs. His fourth leg was severely ulcerated and he could hardly move. Under what sanction are these people associating an elephant to the temple?
Religion is marred with aristocratic pride and heritage and is now just a mere show. It is contamination and corruption, which is resulting in an unholy conjunction. Look at a few elephants in the temples and you will see that though they are black in colour they have some white marks around their body. Those are the areas where the skin is broken by repeated punishments. The elephant is a wild animal and it is not something that can be kept within closed doors. It needs enough of shade with 16 to 17 hours of roaming. But here they are made to stand for hours in one place for festivities. How thoughtless are we becoming?
I am not aware of Jallikattu much and my knowledge is limited to what has appeared in the news and the print medium. But such kinds of tradition are not permissible at all. We cannot use them for our enjoyment. In the name of religion, culture or tradition one has to be sublime or peaceful. Instead of doing this he makes it a scene of cruelty. Culture is supposed to be a source of religious refinement. While we talk about all this so much, do even know that there is no word like Hindu? The word only came to be known in 1700 AD, while the British were using it since 1200 AD to identify us. But we were known for our dharmas and shastras, which were pre-historic. Hence, we should have known that for us dharma is self-sustaining which also gives us the power to protect and sustain a living being.Do you see an end to animals being used as a part of culture or religion ever?
Yes, these practices, customs and traditions have to end. When British ruled us, they ruled us according to them. We improved on the economic front but we treaded on the path of cultural backwardness. We cannot be religiously barbaric and call ourselves civilized. It is a dichotomy. Government also has to play a role in this. May be that is why the Jallikattu ordinance was passed because when such a large number of people are protesting, then the government has to protect its citizens. But this has to end. In our Constitution under fundamental duties Article 51-A, we have been told to develop scientific temper. We must start developing it and abide by scientific temper. We are speaking so much about fundamental rights but not fundamental duties. Enlightenment is the only way to remedy this growing concern.
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