BHUBANESHWAR, INDIA, October 6, 2003: The annual Durga festival celebrated by India’s Bengali devotees culminated last week with the sacrifice of thousands of goats, sheep, and buffaloes. At the Manikeswari temple in eastern Orissa, 2,000 animals were sacrificed. Ambika Mohapatra animal rights activist says, “Animal sacrifice is illegal under India’s Prevention of Cruelty to Animal Act of 1960 and the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972. That means police should have stopped last week’s sacrifices.” However, Law Minister B.B. Hariharan claimed, “The state government took no action because the laws don’t specifically ban sacrifice in Hindu temples and shrines. The government is seriously considering a ban on animal sacrifice during festivals. Legislation will be introduced in the state legislation soon.” Meanwhile, People for Animals activists did file a petition earlier in 2003 in the Orissa High Court demanding a ban on animal sacrifice in Orissa’s Hindu temples. No action has been taken so far. However in 2002, the High Court did ban animal sacrifice at a Hindu temple in the village of Sirla, located 30 miles north of Bhubaneshwar, after an appeal by local residents.
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