Will present our side in court: Ex-MP Maheshwar Singh

After the Supreme Court issued a notice to the Himachal Pradesh government on a petition alleging regular animal sacrifice in the state, particularly during the Bhunda Mahayagya in Rohru in January, the erstwhile ruler of Kullu Maheshwar Singh said that he will present their side before the court after examining the application.

- Shailee Dogra

SHIMLA:

The petition filed by the Animal Welfare Board of India and activist Gauri Maulekhi highlighted incidents of animal sacrifice at the Bhunda Mahayagya held from January 2 to 5, emphasising the violation of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.

"Animal sacrifice has been part of tradition and there cannot be two rules in one country. This is matter of faith and traditions. I am examining the application and file counter reply," said Maheshwar Singh, chief caretaker of Lord Raghunath, principal deity of region.

Talking to HT, Maheshwar Singh said, "When people from other communities have the right to sacrifice animals, seeking a ban on old-age religious traditions of Hindus is not correct." As a tradition, the Kullu Dusshera organisers sacrifice a buffalo, a male lamb, a fish, a crab and a chicken as part of an important ritual on the concluding day of Dussehra as it is believed that the animal sacrifice is important during the festivals as it brings round-the-year prosperity. He said, "I am against exhibiting the slaughtered animals. These (animal sacrifice) are part of our age-old traditions which are being attacked."

"Animal sacrifices are done only on the directions of deity," he said adding, "All sacrifices in religious ceremonies are done as per the SC directives."

Supreme Court bench of justice JK Maheshwari and justice Aravind Kumar, in its February 19 hearing of the case, granted four weeks to the state to file the counter affidavit to the allegations of animal sacrifice taking place regularly and the authorities "not taking any steps deliberately and intentionally".

Bhunda Mahayagya was organised after 39 years in the state. Nearly 5 lakh people participated in the event.