INDIA, September 26, 2014 (Indian Express): Less than a month after the Himachal Pradesh High Court banned animal sacrifice at religious places during fairs and festivals, the caretakers of the Deities, at their rare congregation, decided to continue with the age-old tradition.
The development has created a piquant situation for law enforcing agencies, which had earlier told the caretakers’ body that High Court orders would be enforced strictly to stop animal sacrifice of any sort. Its immediate effect will be in Kullu Dussehra on October 3 wherein animal sacrifice is part of the rituals.
The Dharam Sansad witnessed an overwhelming presence of representatives of the local Deities. “Just in one voice every caretaker of the 260 Deities spoke of upholding of the tradition and appealed the High Court to reconsider the order on ban as it goes against the accepted traditions and customs approved by supreme deities”, said Maheshwar Singh, an erstwhile raja of Kullu, who is chief kardar (caretaker) of Lord Raghunath.
Dot Ram Thakur, president of Dev Samaj, made it clear at the Dharam Sansad that animal sacrifice is an important part of the religious beliefs in the area since ages. He said, “There cannot be changes in the tradition as it is the order of the Gods and people have to follow. No religious festival will be completed if animal sacrifice is not carried out.” [The sacrificed animals are taken home and eaten by the devotees.]