India Government Fails To Prevent Massive Animal Sacrifice

by Sherry Morse

Despite appeals for mercy by the state government and animal welfare agencies, more than 2,000 goats and buffalos and thousands of lambs and hens were ‘sacrificed’ at the temples of Durga and other goddesses in Orissa, India, during the week-long Dasara festival in early October.

Police and district administrators watched as massive numbers of animals were killed at the temple in Bhawanipatna. The killing of over 2,000 goats and buffalos took place at one temple alone, while the lambs and hens were killed at many other temples.

India’s Home Department had issued a press release on October 2 urging the public against animal sacrifice in the name of tradition. This marked the first time the government had issued such an appeal.

Some shrines did suspend their planned sacrifices in response to the appeal, but many people believe that as the killing of animals is prohibited by Indian law the government needs to take a more active role to end the sacrifices.

"Merely issuing an appeal will not be sufficient," said Indira Roy, an animal rights activist.

Many state governments have hesitated to get involved in religious matters, and India’s Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’ Act of 1960 and the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972 do not specifically ban sacrifices in Hindu temples and shrines.

Law Minister B.B. Hariharan said, "The government is seriously considering a ban on animal sacrifice during festivals. Legislation will be introduced in the state legislature soon."

In the Khurda district, the Animal Protection Manch appealed to the district administration to prevent the animal sacrifices at the Bhagabati temple.

"People should not participate in such a barbaric and heinous tradition," said Mr.Yudhisthir Das, who is an animal rights activist and a former Speaker of the Orissa Assembly.

As a member of the Assembly Mr. Das introduced a bill for a ban on animal sacrifice, but the bill did not become law.

Earlier this year, the group People for Animals filed a petition in the Orissa High Court to ban animal sacrifices in the state’s Hindu temples and shrines. That case is still pending.

© 2003 Animal News Center, Inc.