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| Goddess of Dakhina Kali at Biragobindpur. Picture by Sarat Patra |
Cuttack, Oct. 6: The Orissa High Court has directed the state government to take appropriate steps to stop the practice of animal sacrifice during Dussehra at the Maa Bhagabati temple at Banpur in Khurda district.
The two-judge bench of Chief Justice V Gopal Gowda and Justice Indrajeet Mohanty issued the direction on a petition seeking intervention against the persisting practice of animal sacrifice at the Shakti Pitha.
Bhagabati Mandir Sanskar Parishad president Durga Shankar Das had filed the petition apprehending slaughter of hundreds of innocent animals in the name of rituals at the temple during the festival.
The petitioner had alleged that though the high court had directed the district administration to stop animal sacrifice at the temple the ritual was still continuing.
The high court had issued the direction on October 1, 2009 on a petition filed by the People for Animals (PFA).
Taking note of it the high court on Tuesday directed the district administration to file a compliance report on October 25 when the case was taken up for next hearing.
In another petition, the high court issued notices to the Puri district administration on alleged violation of court order relating to the traditional practice of animal sacrifice at the Kali Temple at Biragovindapur. India Media Centre at Pipili had filed the petition.
People for Animals (PFA) had earlier raised concern over the ongoing practice of “merciless killing of animals” at the Dakhinakali Temple and filed a writ petition seeking judicial intervention against it. Responding to it, the high court had in October 2009 directed the state government to take steps to stop the practice at the temple.
The temple had hit the headlines in 2007 when more than 1200 goats were offered as sacrifice in the presence of local administration, local MLA, MPs and others. Campaigns by animal rights groups failed to stop the gruesome slaughtering of 500 odd goats in 2008.
It may be noted that the Orissa High Court had on October 28, 2005, directed the district collectors to assume a proactive role and prevent animal sacrifices in the state’s shrines and temples. The high court had issued the order on the eve of Kali Puja in response to a PIL.
The high court had made it clear in the order that it expected the district collectors not to restrict their role to merely issuing appeals but to play a more active role as killing of animals was not allowed under law.
Animal sacrifice is not permissible as per the provisions of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’ Act, 1960, Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 as well as Pollution Act.