Kutha meat

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Kutha (Kuttha) meat is defined as "meat of animal or fowl slaughtered slowly", as prescribed by the Halal and Kosher rituals.[1] It has been more broadly defined as "killing an animal with a prayer",[2] or as "a sacrifice to God",[3] or meat prepared through "unnecessary ritualism".[4]

Both the Hindu and the Sikh communities view this method of killing animals negatively and forbid adherents from consuming such meat. Hindu philosophy views Kutha as a means of repression and an inhumane non-Aryan[5] way of killing animals for human consumption.

Kutha and Hinduism[edit]

During Mughal rule, Hindus viewed Kutha meat as creating "spiritual weakness among Hindus".[6] In addition to this, according to the ancient Aryan Vedic tradition, "only such meat as is obtained from an animal which is killed with one stroke of the weapon causing instantaneous death is fit for human consumption".[2]

Kutha and Sikhism[edit]

Eating Kutha Meat for a baptised Sikh is considered to be one of the Four Cardinal Sins.[7] These four sins are part of the Sikh Code of Conduct (Rehit Maryada).[7] The undermentioned four transgressions (tabooed practices) must be avoided:

  1. Dishonouring the hair;
  2. Eating the meat of an animal slaughtered the Muslim way (Kutha);[8]
  3. Cohabiting with a person other than one's spouse;
  4. Using tobacco or any alcohol.

The reason for Sikhs avoiding Kutha "does not lie in religious tenet but in the view that killing an animal with a prayer is not going to ennoble the flesh."[2] Guru Gobind Singh (the tenth Sikh Guru) also instructed Sikhs not to eat Kutha meat in order to boycott the Moghul Empire.[6]

Jhatka[edit]

The prescribed method of slaughter for animals for Sikhs and Hindus[9] is Jhatka, which is seen as the opposite to Kutha.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Rayall, Gurbachan Singh (31 Dec 1998). Punjabi University English-Punjabi dictionary. Foreign Language Study (in Punjabi and English). Punjabi University. ISBN 81-7380-095-2. Retrieved 28 November 2010. The Sikh Rahit Maryada forbids hair-cutting, adultery, the use of intoxicants, and the eating of kutha meat—that is, Muslim halal or Jewish kosher meat, obtained through the slow bleeding or religious sacrifice of animals. 
  2. ^ a b c Singh, I. J. (Oct 1994). "15 Food Taboos in Sikhism". Sikhs and Sikhism: a view with a bias. University of Michigan: Manohar,. p. 71 to 75. ISBN 81-7304-058-3. Retrieved 23 November 2010. 
  3. ^ Sikhism, A Complete Introduction, Dr. H.S.Singha & Satwant Kaur, Hemkunt Press ISBN 81-7010-245-6; Paperback; 2009-05-30
  4. ^ Mosher, Lucinda (1 June 2005). "4 Distance". Belonging (Faith in the Neighbourhood) [Paperback]. Church Publishing Inc. p. 108. ISBN 1-59627-010-1. Retrieved 24 November 2010. 
  5. ^ Singha, By Dr. H.S. (30 May 2009). "7 Sikh Traditions and Customs". Sikhism: A Complete Introduction. Sikh Studies. Book 7 (Paperback ed.). New Delhi: Hemkunt Press. p. 81. ISBN 978-81-7010-245-8. Retrieved 25 November 2010. 
  6. ^ a b SINGH LAMBA, PUNEET (1 September 2003). "Kala Afghana on Non-Vegetarianism". Kala Afghana. THE SIKH TIMES. p. 1. Archived from the original on 22 November 2010. Retrieved 22 November 2010. 
  7. ^ a b Dharam Parchar Committee (July 1997). "Sikh Reht Maryada Section Six" (in English and Gurmukhi). Shiromani Gurdwara Parbhandak Committee, Amritsar. pp. Article XXIV p. Archived from the original on 22 November 2010. Retrieved 22 November 2010. 
  8. ^ Mansukhani, G.S (30 May 2009). "76 What is the Sikh attituted to non-vegetarian food.". Introduction to Sikhism (Paperback ed.). Hemkunt Press. p. 87. ISBN 81-7010-181-6. Retrieved 25 November 2010. 
  9. ^ "The Hindu : Sci Tech / Speaking Of Science : Changes in the Indian menu over the ages". Hinduonnet.com. 2004-10-21. Retrieved 2010-02-03. 

External links[edit]

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