HC Gives Split Verdict on Animal Sacrifice

The Madurai Bench Rejected Another Plea That Sought Renaming of the Hill as Sikander Hill

- Divya Chandrababu

CHENNAI: The Madurai bench of the Madras High Court delivered a split verdict on a batch of pleas filed involving the Thiruparankundram Hill, which was in the spotlight during the Murugan conference after right-wing groups took offense to meat eating on the hilltop, which has both a Murugan temple and a dargah.

The different pleas sought renaming the Thiruparankundram hill as Sikander Hill, renaming the Samanar (Jain) hill, permitting animal sacrifice, and construction work.

The bench comprising Justices J Nisha Banu and S Srimathy agreed that the hill cannot be renamed and on a clutch of other issues, but they differed on animal sacrifice.

Justice Banu permitted animal sacrifices, saying it is a religious practice of both Hindu and Muslim communities, while Justice Srimathy banned it, saying there is no proof of this being an ancient religious practice.