2. HOLDING SACRED THAT WHICH IS NOT SACRED

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.