Acharya Prashant responds to a question about the slaughter of animals during Eid al-Adha, which was defended by the argument that many more animals are killed daily throughout the year. The questioner presents data that in India, 30 million land animals and 220 million fish are killed every day. India ranks first in the world for cattle slaughter, third for sheep and goats, and fifth for chicken. Acharya Prashant acknowledges these staggering numbers, noting that while India's population is about 16-17% of the world's, its contribution to animal slaughter is proportionally similar. He points out that much of this meat is for export, as a significant portion of the Indian population is vegetarian. However, he asserts that the act of slaughter itself is prevalent. The speaker argues that the defense for religious slaughter is hollow and flawed. He defines religion as the path that elevates a human from animalistic tendencies like violence to non-violence and from being an animal to being a human. He states that while it is wrong to kill an animal for taste or entertainment, it is a hundred times more wrong to do so in the name of religion, because if the medicine (religion) itself becomes poison, there is no hope for humanity. He also refutes the argument that the meat is given to the poor as charity. He questions the logic of giving meat to the poor, stating they need essential food, education, and bread, not meat, which is an unhealthy and expensive source of nutrition. He calls this justification a way to wash the bloodstains off one's own hands. Acharya Prashant further explains that religious scriptures contain both time-dependent and timeless teachings. Rituals like sacrificing specific animals are time-dependent and contextual. For instance, if a scripture mentions sacrificing a species that later becomes extinct, the ritual becomes impossible. The timeless, core aspect of religion, he explains, pertains to the human mind, the ego, and its quest for liberation and peace. He criticizes those who cling to the superficial, time-bound rituals while ignoring the timeless truth, calling them ignorant of true religion. He concludes that the cruelty inflicted upon animals is a reflection of humanity's inner turmoil, sickness, and suffering. A person who is internally right will have a healthy relationship with the entire ecosystem, including animals.