Shobhaa De is a well-known writer, often celebrated for her opinions. Her argument here is:

*"Meat is meat, whether it’s from a cow, a goat, or any other animal. Then why do Hindus discriminate between animals? Why is killing a goat acceptable but killing a cow considered wrong? Isn’t this hypocrisy and ignorance?"*

Let’s address her logic with these responses:

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*Response No.1:*

Shobhaa De ma’am, you make an interesting point!

But let’s consider this:

*Your father, husband, brother, and son—aren’t all of them men?*

*Yet, why do you behave differently with each of them?*

For reproduction, you need your husband alone, don’t you?

Can you behave with your father, brother, or son the same way you do with your husband?

*If intimacy is reserved only for your husband, wouldn’t it be hypocrisy or ignorance on your part not to extend it to others?*

Relationships such as a father, husband, brother, or son are defined by emotions, respect, and social beliefs, not merely biological identities.

Similarly, the way we regard animals like cows and goats is shaped by cultural, emotional, and spiritual significance, not just their physical existence.

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*Response No.2:*

Here’s another question for you:

You and your family likely consume milk from cows or buffaloes in the form of coffee or tea, right?

But would you prepare coffee using milk from a dog, pig, or monkey?

If, according to your logic, milk is milk regardless of its source, why wouldn’t you do this?

Doesn’t this make your argument invalid and hypocritical?

The issue here isn’t about "meat" *It’s about beliefs and sentiments*.

Just as familial relationships are built on values and trust, the way we treat cows, goats, or other animals reflects our cultural beliefs and emotional attachments.

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*Response No.3:*

A British man once asked Swami Vivekananda, *"Which animal produces the best milk?"*

Swamiji replied, *"Buffalo milk is the best."*

The man then asked, *"But don’t you Indians regard the cow as supreme? Isn’t it the best?"*

Swami Vivekananda smiled and said, *"You’re asking about milk quality, but we consider the cow as our mother, not merely as an animal."*

Likewise, while the cow may seem like just another animal to some, for Hindus, it holds sacred value as a *mother figure*.

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*A Final Question for Shobhaa De:*

*"Save the tiger!" — the person advocating for it is seen as a social servant*.

*"Save the dogs!" —that person is hailed as an animal lover.

*But "Save the cow!"—suddenly, that person is labelled a religious fanatic. Why?*

The real tragedy is that such criticisms often come from our own people, who fail to respect the values and sentiments embedded in our culture.

*Food for thought!*