son-of-the-soil-mohammad-faiz-khans-appeal-celebrate-bakrid-with-compassion-jain-philosophy-and-indian-sensitivity-not-animal-sacrifice

"Drink cow’s milk, not its blood. Let compassion flow, not cruelty."

By Ravindra Arya

(Independent analyst and journalist on Indian folk culture, history, and strategic consciousness)

Delhi.

India is not merely a land of festivals, but of values and ethos — a living tradition of renunciation, compassion, and coexistence. Here, religion is not confined to rituals but is synonymous with humanity, sensitivity, and kindness. At a time when the sacrifice of innocent animals is justified in the name of religious faith, some awakened souls are challenging this tradition, inviting India to return to its compassionate conscience. Among them stands Mohammad Faiz Khan, a resident of Delhi and the National Convenor of the Cow Protection Cell under the Muslim Rashtriya Manch.

Bakrid: A Call for Reason and Empathy, Not Slaughter

Faiz Khan makes a compelling plea:

"Treat the cow not as a sacrificial object but as a recipient of compassion. Religion is not mere custom — it is rooted in mercy and wisdom."

He believes Eid-ul-Adha should reflect the spirit of symbolic sacrifice — one that relinquishes ego, anger, and violence, not the lives of innocent animals. He urges the Muslim community to introspect: Does the tradition of animal sacrifice still hold moral relevance today?

Gau Seva and Cow Milk Party: A New Path

On June 6, 2025, under Faiz Khan's leadership, an innovative event will be held at Shri Ram Hanuman Vatika Temple Gaushala in Delhi. Here, cows will be lovingly fed jaggery and fodder, and a "Cow Milk Party" will be hosted. The aim is to foster love for cows and promote a violence-free celebration among the Muslim community.

• The event will cite this Hadith from Islamic tradition:
• "Cow’s milk is healing, its ghee is medicine, and its meat is disease."
• This reflects Islam’s original ethos — that the cow’s dairy products promote health and its meat should be avoided.
• Jain Philosophy: Illuminating India’s Soul Through Compassion
• Jainism has played a unique role in shaping India's spiritual conscience. Its supreme principle is:
• "Ahimsa Paramo Dharma" — Non-violence is the highest virtue.
• Inspired by this vision, Faiz Khan reveres the Jain monks who walk with a broom to avoid even unintentionally harming small beings. This worldview reflects the soul of India — where festivals are not about slaughter but celebrations of compassion.

A Global Consciousness Against Animal Sacrifice

Faiz Khan’s vision echoes a broader global consciousness. Today, several organizations champion compassion toward animals beyond religious lines:

● PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) – A global animal rights movement.

● PFA (People for Animals) – India’s leading animal welfare group founded by Maneka Gandhi.

● Peepal Farm – A Himachal-based group devoted to abandoned animal care.

● Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) – A government body that issues guidelines to control animal sacrifice during festivals.

● The common message from all these organizations aligns with Faiz Khan’s call: “True religion teaches compassion, not cruelty.”

● The Cow: A Compassionate Symbol in Indian Culture

● Faiz Khan views the cow not merely as a religious symbol but as a living embodiment of India’s maternal culture. In his words:

● "The cow is not just an animal — she is a living symbol of Bharat Mata’s compassion. She gives milk, provides medicine, and nurtures life."

● He appeals to the Muslim community not to view cow slaughter as a religious duty, emphasizing that it wounds the soul of India and sparks social discord.

Echoing the Spirits of Kabir, Gandhi, and Mahavira

Faiz Khan’s voice resonates with the legacy of India’s great spiritual figures — Kabir’s fearlessness, Gandhi’s nonviolence, and Mahavira’s compassion. He affirms:

"Being born in India means embracing Indian values. Any tradition rooted in cruelty must be refined — that is the essence of true religiosity."

The Future of Religion Lies in Compassion, Not Cruelty

Mohammad Faiz Khan, along with the Muslim Rashtriya Manch, PETA, PFA, AWBI, and Jain philosophy, delivers one unified message:

“Choose love, not sacrifice. Let festivals become traditions of nonviolence and empathy.”

"Drink cow’s milk, not its blood. Let compassion flow, not cruelty."

India Must Return to the Path of Compassion

In an era where violence is increasingly rationalized in the name of faith, voices like Mohammad Faiz Khan’s offer a clarion call for inner reform. He not only invites the Muslim community to introspect but also reminds all Indians of their cultural conscience.

Celebrating Bakrid with wisdom, compassion, and Indian values is no longer just an option — it is a moral imperative.

By Ravindra Arya

(Independent analyst and journalist on Indian folk culture, history, and strategic consciousness)