About the ?offended cow? and ?free will?

Your article entitled ?The Offended Cow and the Rude People? was certainly well written and it effectively demonstrates how advertising, however costly it may be, can have an effect which is contrary to what it was initially intended for.

We are also fortunate, in one sense, that you could not strictly adhere to your motto ? ?to live and let live?, as you also reacted to the ad with your views. You also mention that such ?thoughtless ads would never have been allowed in politically correct Britain?. But, on the other hand, you seem to hint that they could or should be allowed in Mauritius. How come, when we know very well the local multi-cultural social fabric and its sensitivity ?

And as far as your question as to why ISKCON ? Why deny us this freedom of expressing our beliefs and stand in your esteemed paper if you are for ?free will and free choice??

In any case, we did not complain as vegetarians but vehemently protested for much profound cultural, religious and ethical reasons. As you are aware, ISKCON has its origin from the ancient vaishnava tradition of India and its philosophy and practices are all based on the universally known and accepted sacred scriptures like Bhagavad-Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam, where the cow is revered and respected as our mother. Actually, she is the universal mother, regardless of religion, creed etc. because we have all been brought up on cow?s milk.

In the light of the above perspective and as a responsible international movement promoting the Vedic culture, we cannot remain silent but rather react to such inappropriate communication campaigns so as not to allow our mother, the cow, to be ridiculed, offended and abused publicly.

We hope that the above gives you and the readers a better and deeper insight as to why ISKCON reacted to KFC?s advertising campaign.

ISKCON Mauritius

Our reply

The beauty of democracy

To live and let live does not mean that one cannot have one?s owns views and opinions. That?s the beauty of democracy. Democracy also means that while we hold our views and are allowed to express them freely, we should also allow others to express themselves. This is what the KFC people did.

If the Muslims start complaining about the sale of alcohol and demand that alcoholic products be banned because it offends them, where would we be? If another section of the population feels offended by the sight of people idol worshipping and start kicking up a fuss, what would happen to our society?

Mauritius belongs to each and every one of us. And it is not by imposing our views and getting offended because they are not shared that we are going to get anywhere. For ISKON, the cow symbolizes a mother, for me, it is a friend, for somebody else, it is food. And so be it.

Deepa BHOOKUN