Karnataka government vows to ban animal sacrifices

The Karnataka government has assured the High Court that it will not allow mass animal sacrifices for any religious practices.

The devotees and residents of Kollegala taluk in Chamrajnagar district were all set to sacrifice animals during the Purusha Chikkallur Siddappaji fair when the age-old practice was banned.

The Animal Welfare Board had filed a public litigation (PIL) in the High Court challenging the practice of animal sacrifice for religious purposes.

Justice SK Mukherjee and Justice Ravi Malimath, at the PIL hearing, directed the temple administration board and the local police to put an end to the practice. 

Police personnel was deployed at the fair to ensure no animals were sacrificed.

At the hearing, the public prosecutor produced a certificate stating that sacrificing animals for religious reasons is punishable under the Karnataka Prevention of Animal Sacrifices Act, 1959. He said measures will be taken to prevent animal sacrifices during religious functions in the state.

According to the Act, "No person shall sacrifice any animal in any place of public religious worship or adoration or its precincts or in any congregation or procession connected with any religious worship in a public street."

The Act also states, "Whoever contravenes the provisions of section 3 shall be punished with imprisonment, which may extend to six months or with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees or with both."

In addition, the High Court had repeatedly directed the state and the police department on various occasions, to strictly implement the Act. However, they failed to do so in the past.