Mike, unfortunately there are some things which still don't seem to be decided by the cold logic. I still wonder why a pound from my tax goes to keep intact the tradition of Queen/ prince Williams...in the premier democracy of the world. Yet, some plausible logic would have been discovered by now to continue doing this...only I have to google a bit.

In time, some more convincing logic would get discovered for Shamboo. At the moment, we can do with a plain one - saving of a life which lot of people want to.

yash, ILFORD, UK

This is a human rights issue and has very little to do with religious or minority groups.

It seems this community enjoys the human rights that rural communities suffering disappearing transport links, or closing post offices, or the hunting ban, or a lack of starter homes, and wages that most urban types wouldn't turn over in bed for have needed for years.

It's seems a travesty that so many people are exercised over this situation when the human rights of our rural communities have been denied for so long many have forgotten what they might be!

dave, Plymouth,

As I understand it, the test presently used to detect TB in cattle is only known to be accurate in 2 out of 3 cases. Therefore the smart thing for government to do would be to retest all cattle which test positive. Then the disease status is totally in doubt. If an animal is showing no signs of disease (like Shambo), then one has to question the result of the initial test.

Secondly, TB can be cured in Humans with antibiotics. The same can be done with Bulls. Therefore, there is no valid reason to slaughter cattle when you can cure them. The EU needs to change its rules on selling meet from cured animals who once had TB. Its rediculous that 6000 cattle are slaughtered each year needlessly.

Lastly, if an infected animal has been isolated by those whom own it, then the animal definatly isn't a health risk to others. The government are trying to scare people so they will back the slaughter. Why don't they point out that their own test is known to give false positives in 1/3rd tested.

D Markham, Stockport, Cheshire

Gillian what makes you think the Hindus concerned aren't white? In the report I saw the brother who was interviewed was caucasian. That's neither here nor there in my book, but I suppose it would be for someone bothered by skin colour.

La Hell, London, UK

Does this negate the laws on the keeping of dangerous dogs? Surely my being prevented from owning one of the banned breeds is an infringement of my human rights? This ruling seems to imply that I can flout the law as long as the animal is kept in isolation.

And what about cannabis plants?

Mike Poulsen, Reading, Berkshire

I have been to Skanda Vale. It is mainly run by highly devout white Hindus, some of whom are from the Welsh region. They are not foreigners as some of the ill-judged and ill-informed comments portray. Apart from elebrating Hindu faith through the several temples in Skanda Vale, the community also has daily Christian worship. The hard working community, which also has a Hospice, celebrates Christian festivals such as Easter as well as Hindu festivals. If Shambo was proven to be a danger to other animals, then it has to be destroyed to protect others. However, as far as I know, Shambo is kept indoors away from harming other animals and there has not been conclusive results from the testing. The authorities need to carry out thorough testing rather than going through the courts.

Raju Kumar, Stavanger, Norway

Who said those challenging this legal injunction come under the category of 'johnny foreigner' or those 'not from these shores'. To my recollection many of those representing the Hindu faith in this case seemed to be of British origin, having taken up the faith. So nationality has no bearing on it - this is a matter of religious principle, under the strength of their beliefs.

The 'purity ring' case is not a relevant challenge as this was a personal choice and not a requirement placed upon her by the laws and principles of her religion. Respect for life is however key to the Hindu faith, therefore worthy of respect.

Therefore as Yash says - let's allow the systems and authorities in place do their job and judge according to the laws of the land - some of which will over-ride others from time to time.

Andrew, Luton, UK

It is with regret that I read such intolerance in our society. I am of the belief that people of other beliefs and nations should adjust to UK society if they chose to reside here. However equaly we must tolerate others deeply held beliefs. There is no indication that these people are immigrants. There are many British Hindus.

However quite apart from the attempt to turn this into a racio-religeous issue, the real issue is that some government official has in strict adherance to the rules and regulations of his department issued an order in accordance with his job. These rules and regulations are perfectly applicable in a farming context. All of this is perfectly OK. However these circumstances go beyond the circumstances the rules and regulations were designed for and therfore and again quite rightly the affected people have taken the matter to court to seek judgment.

It will be a sad day for democracy if we can not appeal against officials decisions.

Andrew, Barrow-upon-Humber, N. Lincs

Can a man be sentenced to death, just bcos he has a contagious disease? so are animals...especially a cow...which is worshiped as god.....every living creature has a right to live.... I strongly believe......

Shesha, Bristol, UK

According to the news pictures a lot of the monks were British born and white. So so I don't think you can say it is one law for foreigners and another for the Brits in this case.

Pin, Brighton,

What a victory for commonsense and compassion. I hope that Judge Gary Hickinbottom's decision will stand and not be repealed. Shambo is not a farm animal. He will not be transported to other farms or go to market (or enter the human food chain), potentially speading infection so why should the the rules applying to the farming industry apply here (not withstanding religious objections to his slaughter)? Shambo may not have TB even, more sophisticated tests, for live animals, than the one use by DEFRA are available to confirm diagnosis. Even if he does have TB it doesn't mean he would be actively infectious to other animals or humans. He could be treated with drugs, which may be unlicensed in the UK, but that doesn't mean they are ineffective or equate with no treatment being available. Shambo is already in isolation so any potential risk of infection would be negligble.

Jill Williams, London, UK

Gillian from Bracknell- the people who brought this case to the courts ARE British Whites, if you saw the news you would see that the group are majority British Whites. Its nothing to do with colour!

I'm not sure a bull with TB should be kept alive, but if it isn't mixing with other animals- just how big of a risk does it pose to other animals? And should we be wasting public money to prolong this?

Sam, Manchester,

I disagree with the comments about "Johnny foreigner" etc. It's a narrow minded person that believes that becuase the community in question is Hindu, then the persons must be foreign!?. If I remember correctly from the televised news story the monk who looks after the bull, brother Alex, is white !.

Anyway, the real issue is that it's another alarming case of religion being given special privilage. While I firmly believe in the freedom to believe in what one wants, whether its Huduism, Christianity, fairies, yetis, Father Christmas or Astrology, it's just plain wrong that the very act of believing means you can live outside the laws of the land.

Outraged, Surrey,

How easily some people's knees seem to jerk,many of the people who are part of this order of monks are white.Personally I find the whole slaughter of bse infected animals to be horrific,and driven by money,and not health concerns,however it seems obvious that Shambo iwill never be "livestock"...and this cows bse won't affect the price of meat.

Rob, plymouth, uk

The worship of bovines is a fairly established Hindu belief, but how established does a belief have to be before it attracts a corresponding human right and therefore judicial credence? And does this belief have to be a religious belief? If so, how is a belief defined as religious?

These are very important questions if religion is to be allowed special dispensation from the rule of law. I believe that this issue has the potential to become a very dangerous grey area in these troubled times. I'd like some guidance from the Court please.

DS, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

I think your all missing the point here, the whole argument is that the decision was an infridgment of human rights, nothing more. Its not a question of why are internationals are not following the same laws that govern us.

Ethan Evans, Cheshire,

I can't say I'm surprised. It seems that we are living in an episode of The Day Today, or Brasseye, you couldn't make this type of thing up...

Ray, Wakefield, England

A lot of the members of the congregation looked white on my telly.Some of the replies here seem to be written by people desperately trying to find examples of anti-white bias.I wonder if they have ever noticed the discrimination towards non whites..of which there is far far more.I am glad Shambo will live,he deserves life.The bse will affect no one,and shambo will bring happiness to many.I don't think so many animals had to die in the first place,perhaps there is much to learn as to how we treat animals.I am white and an atheist,but for me Shambo comes first.

Rob, plymouth, uk

Gillian - nobody mentioned anything about the Hindus not being British whites. Skin colour has nothing to do with religion. If you've seen the TV footage you'll notice that the Hindus concerned all are as British as you or I. Having said that, I completely agree with you though!

Simon, Sevenoaks,

"Why does British law only apply to British whites?", "People who come to our shores must abide by our laws without exception", "If it`s good enough for johnny foreigner, it`s good enough for us British".- these statements simply do not make sense and are written in a facist manner. Dont forget these people may very well be British, born in Britain, and also may very well be White! Does "Brother Alex" sound foreign?
Do not assume that these monks are stupid. They may be more intelligent than me or you, and this means that they may take in all aspects of this problem- economic, health for livestock, and religious beliefs. Brother Alex was quoted "There are viable alternatives to the slaughtering of Shambo.” If there are other options available, is it not worth considering them? Remember, everyones opinions counts, and in this country, especially at this point in time, we need to be seen to listen to every different belief. Difficult yet neccesary.

Louis Rummer-Downing, Dursley, Gloucestershire

In a TV interview, a representative of the community claimed that, since all life was equally important, they intended to treat the animal with antibiotics just as they would treat a human child infected with TB.

This stand is logically untenable. it is impossible to treat the TB bacillus without destroying life. That's what antibiotics do - the clue is in the name. Either they are lying about their intention to treat the animal, or they are lying about their respect for "all life" If they accept that all life is not equivalent, if they accept that vertebrate life is "more important" than invertebrate, then certainly the health of the national herd is more important than proving a point with the painful and prolonged suffering of one symbolic pet.

No third possibility exists. They must be lying about one or other of these things. I just wish some journalist had put them on the spot and asked them which.

Ian Kemmish, Biggleswade, UK

Why does British law only apply to British whites? Just scream breach of human rights and the system cowers. I do not want to see the bull killed unnecessarily but if it has an illness that requires it to be slughtered then it must be. The court, in this case, is ignoring the human rights of all the farmers in the area and the people with whom this bull will come into contact.

Gillian, Bracknell,

People who come to our shores must abide by our laws without exception! What about the bulls in surounding areas that have a right to avoid illness when that illness can be prevented. The undermining of a person with the responcibility for dealing with the case by a high court judge is a disgrace! That person should have been backed up by the judge, and I hope they get the required support on appeal. I undestand the frustration felt by the Hindus, but they really must follow the rule of law. This judge is an embarassment to our people who wish our laws to be dominant!

Ray, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

I just hope all the farmers in this country remember this, when the inspectors test one of their beasts as positive.
If it`s good enough for johnny foreigner, it`s good enough for us British.

K. Woodhouse, Lincoln, England

Just another instance of religion over-ruling common sense and necessary practice.. The animal should have been slaughtered in spite of blackmail threats by these superstitious people.

Michael Ayris, Kingston Upon Thames,

What an interesting day it has been - a girl is denied her human rights to wear a ring as a sign of sexual purity whilst an infectious diseased bull is allowed to live as it's humane execution would infringe the human rights of those for whom it is a sacred symbol.

Would it be wrong to wonder if the outcomes would have been different if the bull had belonged to Christians and the ring to people of another faith.

Peter d, Torquay, UK

I've always known british r intelligent. Yet, I couldnt make out the absolute lack of sensitivity towards other important elements of nature - the animals.

2yrs back when I came for my project, I was aghast to read that in this age, fox-hunting prevails with a huge public support!! It's much easier to justify maintaining a queen in democracy with public money, but demand for fox-hunt...!

Whoever thought Hindus were intelligent/ model citizens etc (dont ignore the negatives though) is not far off looking at the UK national statistics . But if one event is enough to change a long-held opinion about a community, it shows the thinking is fickle. Another event tomorrow would surely revert it.

I for one, Inspite of animal-rights insensitivity among populace, still believe british are intelligent and, importantly, largely a just society.

On spcifics of the Shamboo case, a more learned person (Judge) has deliberated and more will do, next week. Let's wait and respect their decision

yash, ILFORD, UK