The Male Calf in India: a Nuanced Reality

Revered as sacred and a source of prosperity, the cow is a notable figure in Hindu mythology and in the religious practices of today’s India. Consequently, it might come as a surprise to see dozens of cows wandering the streets of the country, scavenging for scraps on the side of the road while attempting to avoid the onslaught of traffic rushing by. Along with the herds who roam freely through cities and villages alike, a frequent site is the abandoned male calf, alone and uncertain. He has likely been left to his own devices due to deeply established beliefs regarding cow welfare and undeniable financial circumstances for farmers.

Across India, numerous states have placed bans on the slaughter of cows, and in other areas, it is seen as taboo, due to cultural reverence for the animal. Instead of being raised for meat, cows are therefore farmed primarily for dairy, where their economic value comes from the output of milk. As a result, male calves are often deemed as unproductive by farmers - a financial burden rather than an opportunity for profit. Yet, legalities and traditions mean that the slaughter of these young bulls, for meat or otherwise, is not seen as an option, and so they are separated from their mothers and left to the roads, in the hope that at least some of the male calves will be lucky enough to make it.

It can be easy to attempt to point fingers and blame farmers for abandoning their male calves, but in reality, the situation is much more nuanced. In a society where respecting cows is equated with not killing them, this may seem like the much kinder option. In fact, according to The Economic Times, for many farmers it is the choice “between feeding your children and feeding the cattle,” and after all, there is a chance that some of the calves will be rescued by a goshala (cow shelter), or manage to carve out a life on the streets. Unfortunately, the vast majority of male calves on the road have a much grimmer future - but not one that is set in stone.

In order to provide male calves, and all of the 5 million stray cows in India, with the basic resources that they deserve, we need to consider a model of animal welfare that extends beyond survival, one that is exemplified in Gandhi’s views of cow welfare. He maintained that ahimsa could not be simplified to non-killing, but must instead include an attempt to minimize the suffering of all living creatures so that they are able to lead content and fulfilling lives. In his words, “cow protection to me is not mere protection of the cow. It means protection of all that lives and is helpless and weak in the world.” In practice, implementing this principle requires a fundamental shift in how the nation currently views cattle - as sacred on holy days, a mala draped lovingly around their necks, and as a nuisance creating traffic the rest of the year - towards education on and compassion for the beings we share the earth with.

The case of the Indian stray cow raises thought-provoking questions about how humans engage with other species overall, and how pervasively our legislative system impacts their livelihoods. Aman, a rescue calf of mine, is one such case of a male calf, found abandoned on the roads of Siolim, Goa. He also demonstrates the kindness and joy that these animals contain, when given the opportunity to grow - a symbol for the impact that can arise when we care meaningfully for that which is sacred.