Devbhoomi, the land of gods, is a name that evokes images of pristine mountains, sacred rivers, and spiritual sanctuaries. But beneath this divine facade lies a troubling reality—one that questions our very claim to holiness. Across the winding roads and bustling towns of this revered land, homeless bulls roam aimlessly, victims of neglect, urbanization, and human apathy.
The Sacred Yet Forsaken Beings
Cows and bulls have held a sacred place in Indian culture for centuries. Worshipped in temples, associated with divine beings, and revered in scriptures, they are symbols of prosperity, strength, and dharma. Yet, ironically, these very creatures are abandoned when they are no longer seen as “useful.”
As villages modernize and farming methods evolve, bulls—once essential for plowing fields—are rendered obsolete. Many are left to fend for themselves, wandering the streets in search of food and shelter. What awaits them, however, is not the protection of a sacred land, but a cruel and indifferent world.
A Life of Danger and Despair
With no shelter to call their own, these homeless bulls struggle for survival in an increasingly hostile environment. The roads, built for fast-moving vehicles, become death traps for these slow-moving animals. Accidents involving stray bulls are common, leading to injuries, suffering, and fatalities—both for the animals and humans alike.
Food is another constant struggle. With no access to fresh fodder, these creatures resort to scavenging from garbage dumps, unknowingly consuming plastic, toxic waste, and contaminated food. This slow poisoning leads to excruciating deaths, their stomachs filled with plastic bags rather than nourishing grass.
Who is Responsible?
It is easy to blame the government, the municipalities, or the cattle owners for this crisis, but the truth is that this is a collective failure. As a society that prides itself on spiritual consciousness and compassion, our negligence towards these innocent creatures speaks volumes.
We worship the cow as a mother, but do we fulfill our duty towards her offspring? We call this land Devbhoomi, yet we turn a blind eye to suffering in its streets. Can we truly claim to be a land of gods when we fail to uphold the basic tenets of kindness and responsibility?
Seeking Solutions: A Call to Action
The plight of these animals is not inevitable; it is a problem that can and must be addressed. Here are a few steps that can help:
Cattle Shelters & Rehabilitation Centers – More gaushalas (cow shelters) should be established and maintained to provide proper care for abandoned bulls.
Stricter Regulations – Municipal authorities should enforce stricter laws against cattle abandonment and ensure proper tagging and tracking of domestic cattle.
Community Involvement – Local communities can play a role in feeding, sheltering, and protecting these animals.
Sustainable Agricultural Practices – Encouraging farmers to adopt methods where bulls can still be valuable contributors to agriculture rather than being discarded.
Public Awareness – Educating people about the consequences of neglecting these animals and the harm caused by plastic waste can bring about long-term change.
The True Meaning of Devbhoomi
A land is not sacred because of its temples, rivers, or religious history—it is sacred because of the values its people uphold. If we wish to call our land Devbhoomi, we must embody the very compassion, responsibility, and reverence that we claim to cherish. Saving these homeless bulls is not just an act of kindness; it is an act of reclaiming our humanity.
The question remains: Will we let them suffer in silence, or will we rise to restore the sanctity of our land? The answer lies in our actions.