Mahavir Mahatma Gandhi Ki Bhoomi Par Badhte Katlakhane

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Mahavir Mahatma Gandhi ki Bhoomi par Badhte Katlakhane" (Increasing Slaughterhouses on the Land of Mahavir and Mahatma Gandhi) by Yashpal Jain, based on the provided pages:

The article powerfully critiques the alarming rise of slaughterhouses in India, a land revered as the birthplace of Lord Mahavir and Mahatma Gandhi, both prominent advocates of ahimsa (non-violence) and compassion towards all living beings.

Core Arguments and Observations:

• Erosion of Compassion: The author laments the drastic decline in human sensitivity and compassion. He illustrates this with an anecdote of Mahatma Gandhi encountering a procession for animal sacrifice. Gandhi's intervention, by offering himself as a more valuable sacrifice than the animal, awakened the conscience of the people. Today, however, such sensitivity is lost, and animals are slaughtered for narrow self-interest, leading to a proliferation of slaughterhouses.
• Historical Context of Violence: The text traces the history of violence, from primitive man eating other humans, to Vedic-era human sacrifices, and then the gradual shift to animal sacrifices. It highlights how, over time, humanity evolved to recognize the suffering of others, leading to the condemnation of human sacrifice and attempts to curb animal sacrifice. Lord Mahavir is credited with raising his voice against animal sacrifice in rituals about 2500 years ago, promoting the superiority of ahimsa.
• The Pervasiveness of Modern Slaughterhouses: The article describes the brutal and cruel nature of these slaughterhouses, making them unbearable for any humane person to witness. It notes that new slaughterhouses are constantly opening across the country.
• The Paradox of India: A significant point of concern is the stark contrast between the increasing trend of vegetarianism in Western countries and the growing acceptance of non-vegetarianism in India. While Canada and America offer abundant vegetarian options, India is witnessing a surge in meat consumption and export. Even traditionally prohibited meats for certain communities (like beef for Hindus and pork for Muslims) are being exported in large quantities.
• The Moral and Ethical Dilemma: The author questions the logic behind increasing slaughterhouses. He refutes the justifications provided by administrators, such as meeting the rising demand for meat and conducting slaughter in a "scientific" manner to manage pollution. He argues that meeting demand for unethical practices (like increased prostitution) wouldn't justify their facilitation, and "scientific" killing is still killing. He likens the demand for meat to other societal ills that shouldn't be accommodated by creating more facilities for them.
• Inspiration from Spiritual Leaders: The text draws parallels with the compassion of Acharya Vinoba Bhave, who felt a profound empathy for animals facing slaughter and inspired satyagraha against the Deonar slaughterhouse in Mumbai. The article highlights the suffering of animals, comparing it to a minor pain in humans, and urging readers to empathize with the pain of animals.
• Call to Action: The article proposes a three-pronged approach to combat the proliferation of slaughterhouses:
  1. Political Pressure: Launching a nationwide movement to influence the government. Voters should pledge their support to parties that commit to closing slaughterhouses, leveraging the government's awareness of the power of public opinion.
  2. Preventing Animal Supply: Establishing village-level organizations to prevent the supply of animals to slaughterhouses. Young people and teachers are identified as crucial in this effort.
  3. Promoting Vegetarianism: A widespread and effective campaign to promote vegetarianism is essential. The author illustrates the prevalent ignorance about the health benefits of vegetarianism with an anecdote from Canada, where a young girl believed vegetarianism led to weakness and early death. He advocates for educational campaigns, charts, and exhibitions to showcase the superior nutritional value of vegetarian food.
• India's Legacy and Responsibility: The article emphasizes India's rich heritage of love and compassion, citing figures like Albert Schweitzer and the ancient Indian ethos of "Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah" (May all be happy) and "Sarve Santu Niramaya" (May all be free from illness). It calls the slaughter of innocent animals on this sacred land a shame and a stigma, a tragedy in a world that has reached peaks in science and technology but has become insensitive.
• The Role of Jain and Gandhian Societies: The author specifically urges the Jain community, as followers of Lord Mahavir, and Gandhian followers to take the lead in this movement, recognizing that violence, even on a small scale, can escalate.
• The Wisdom of Non-Processed Foods: In the latter part of the article, Dr. Nemichand Jain, in an excerpt, discusses the increasing consumption of processed carbohydrates in the West and the potential harm this causes to individual and societal well-being. He contrasts this with the wisdom of traditional diets and warns that adopting such processed food technology without understanding its consequences can lead to widespread societal violence and suffering. He highlights the importance of balanced diets for personality development and criticizes the unthinking adoption of harmful technologies.

In essence, the article is a passionate plea for a return to the core values of compassion and non-violence that define India's spiritual heritage, urging collective action to halt the growing tide of animal slaughter and its associated industries.