Query about Jhatka Meat by Shooting in Head

Ishna · #1 (**permalink**) 26-Aug-2011, 07:15 AM

Gurfatehji

The Pizza thread got me thinking... I recently watched a program here on TV (gee I watch a lot of TV...) where they get lots of people with different opinions and have a guided discussion about a topic. The topic was about meat eating in Australia and we heard the POV from the animal protection people, the vegans, the meat-eating chefs, the one who don't care, and my personal favourite, the "vegetarian" who would eat only kangaroo meat.

When talking about jhatka, does it mean only eating the flesh of an animal who has had it's head cut off in one fell chop, or does it (logically) extend to other quick and least-painful methods of slaughter?

For instance: the kangaroo-meat only argument is based on the reasoning that kangaroo slaughter in Australia is when licensed kangaroo shooters get in a ute, drive around properties (usually farming properties for other purposese as kangaroos are not actively farmed in Australia as far as I know), and shoot kangaroos in the head. The shooters are trained to shoot the kangaroo in the head causing instant death and they have to be highly accurate to get a license.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/sikh-sikhi-sikhism/36758-query-about-jhatka-meat-shooting-head.html
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=36758

So the kangaroo is hopping around a paddock eating grass, and without even knowing it cops a bullet to the brain and is dead. It has never known human interference with its life and is killed quickly and we hope painlessly.

The Akal Takht has said Amritdhari Sikhs can only eat jhatka meat, but is the definition of jhatka stricly that which has had it's head cut off? Is a bullet to the brain good enough, as in the kangaroo argument above?

I don't see any logical reason not to eat the kangaroo meat (if I was so inclined to eat it).

This isn't about eating meat or not eating meat, but the method of slaughter, please.

Apologies if this post is inappropriate.

Thanks
Ish

kds1980 · #2 (**permalink**) 26-Aug-2011, 07:39 AM

http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/hard-t...-with-gun.html
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=36758

Here is the above thread in which sikhs were shown doing Jhatka with gun,though the video is no longer available but in One Sikh puratan granth Jhatka with Gun was written as acceptable

Ishna · #3 (**permalink**) 26-Aug-2011, 08:11 AM

Thank you Kds Ji.

Searching · #4 (**permalink**) 26-Aug-2011, 23:24 PM

Ishna ji
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=36758
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=36758
If I am not not wrong Sikhs are instructed not to eat " Kuttha" or meat slaughtered in Muslim way ( ritualistic slaughter).
Jhatka is just another form of slaughter which is not ritualistic.
In my view any form of slaughtering which is not ritualistic is allowed.

Hope someone more knowledgeable pcomments here and can guide us.

Scarlet Pimpernel · #5 (**permalink**) 27-Aug-2011, 05:05 AM

Ishna Ji

When you know what hunger feels like,you will eat first and ask questions later.Most of us if left hungry for ten days will eat Halal or even each other!

The rejection of Halal historically was a way of showing the objection to the forced adoption of another religions values.It had a deeper purpose then but no one is forcing your will now ,so what does it matter either way.

Ishna · #6 (**permalink**) 27-Aug-2011, 06:48 AM

Sinner Ji

Yes, but I am not in that situation (thankfully) so I have the ability to think carefully about my food choices.

Searching Ji

Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=36758
Good point! Thanks

Admin: thanks for changing the thread title to something more specific!

Ambarsaria · #7 (**permalink**) 27-Aug-2011, 07:33 AM

Ishna ji some comments on excellent dialog in this thread.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ishna

Sinner Ji

Yes, but I am not in that situation (thankfully) so I have the ability to think carefully about my food choices.

Searching Ji

Good point! Thanks

Admin: thanks for changing the thread title to something more specific!

Ishna ji I believe we have witnessed great answers with little left to add.

I believe the key element in addition to quick death aspects is the following,

Quote:

SACRIFICIAL

Example 1: The following disturbing Jhatka slayings appear to be Sacrificial
(NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUvIE...yer_detailpage

So even when these appear Jhatka these are more sacrificial and hence eating meat of such would be in-appropriate within SRM.

By the way these don't appear to be Muslims but some type of Hindus from dress code and ladies make-up.

Quote:

SACRIFICIAL

Example 2: The following disturbing Kutha type slaying
(NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-ep8...yer_detailpage

These are more sacrificial and hence eating meat of such would be in-appropriate within SRM.

Quote:

SACRIFICIAL: Bigger Philosophical Question
Q: Is eating or offering others sacrificial food also bad?
A: I believe it is.
Reason/Rationale: Let us look at a Pooja kind of video where people are offering food for benefit and we all know where that food ends up! In the Priest's stomach. Why is such bad? There is perhaps a promise, a wish fulfillment being, sought, etc. Basically trading with creator!

Example 3: Lovely video photogenically a calf drinking Cow milk (Mama's milk) and people touching its hoofs for blessing.
Food elements of such gathering are also sacrificial.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPCS5...yer_detailpage

Quote:

SACRIFICIAL: Now let us look at ourselves as Sikhs.

If a Sikh is doing Langar (Communal food offering) for reward, it is as much sacrificial. However if one is doing it for sharing because one wants to, one can afford to, one has too much of, or one just like sharing, that is not sacrificial and that is Guru ka Langar.

Look forward to getting some bricks and bats coming my way

, not really but I stand corrected as always.

Sat Sri Akal.

Ishna · #8 (**permalink**) 27-Aug-2011, 10:26 AM

The live export trade from Australia is disgusting and many Australians are now rallying to stop this ridiculous and unnecessarily cruel practice. I'll find some links when I'm back on my PC, or you can search for Australia live exports Indonesia to see the horrifying footage Animals Australia obtained recently of our cattle being tortured in Indonesian abbatoirs because it "makes the meat more tender". Followed by tail breaking, and supposedly "halal" slaughter (I suspect many thoughtful Muslims would not consider their methods strictly halal).

Just last week an old ship was supposed to take several thousand live sheep to the Middle East (where they're commonly shoved alive into peoples car boots when they don't actually fit), however it didn't get far when it ran into trouble and was stuck. The sheep were trapped aboard for another 10 days before finally being transported locally for some respite. A lot of sheep had already died. For detalis search for sheep export Port Adelaide and you should find recent news stories.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=36758

Oh look, I've taken my own thread off topic again. Naughty Ishna!

But I guess realistically, the practicalities of animal farming are not so much a Sikh concern as a human one.

Thanks for the clarification on ritual and sacrificial meat Gyani and Ambarsaria bhajis.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=36758

On a side note... What about other ritual food? Catholic wafer, pagan feast foods? They may not be meat but they have specific ritual meaning.

Searching · #9 (**permalink**) 28-Aug-2011, 00:52 AM

Dear Randip ji and spnadmin ji
I do not know what Kosher means but halal does not mean pure. It means permissible.
The Quran defines many things as Halal or permissible and Haram or not permissible, not just food.
On an average and not as per law, most of the animals that Sips their drink are halaal and those who lick the drink are haraam. Similary birds which hold their food in feet are haraam and those who pick their food from their beak are halal.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=36758
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=36758

Then comes a way of slaughtering them which is halal for Muslims.

Fish or seafood is considered Halal only if it is caught ALIVE.