Islam Creator of the Modern Age
2. Holding Sacred that which is not Sacred
~ 84 ~
resignation, saying that he was not fit for the
presidentship of a national institute. In view of such
an adverse reaction, Swaminathan had no choice
but to fall silent. The matter became a closed topic.
The reason for this strong, public reaction was that
according to the traditional religion of India, the
taking of a life is the worst possible sin. Since living
things must be killed to produce non-vegetarian
food, vegetarianism has become the order of the
day. The cow, in particular, must never be
slaughtered because, in this religious context, it is a
sacred animal. The Rigveda has called the cow a
goddess.
37
This makes it clear how certain aspects of
polytheistic faiths have become an obstacle to
human progress.
India is rich in resources and opportunities. Despite
this abundance, it has yet to become a developed
country. Chiefly to blame for this are the
polytheistic constraints, which hinder the march of
progress. Not until the country is set free of all such
unrealistic limitations will India truly set its feet on
the path of progress.
