Of Sacrifices

Sacrifices are made as an act of giving up something valuable for the sake of something worthy. We, humans, however, have changed the entire definition of sacrifice altogether. Sacrifices are done to make one feel the loss of a prized possession but by sacrificing a living being- an innocent animal in the name of religion is plain cruelty. This unnecessary and heinous act serves no real purpose. Killing animals in the name of religious rites and rituals is not only brutal but also adds little to no value to us. It only elevates superstitious beliefs among people.

In a country like ours, animals have been sacrificed for centuries in the name of religion. India’s first national animal welfare law, Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 criminalizes cruelty to animals, though exceptions are made for the treatment of animals used for food and scientific experiments. This law also created the Animal Welfare Board of India to ensure the anti-cruelty provisions that are enforced, promoting the cause of animal welfare.

However, sources assert that managements of temples and other religious places of worship are obliged to follow the centuries-old religious practices according to which devotees have the freedom to offer animal sacrifices to idols, gods and goddesses as per their will, putting in the custom of these religious rites and rituals as a constitutional right.

Conversely, the north-eastern State of Tripura has welcomed the judgment of putting a ban on traditional practices of animal and bird sacrificing in all the temples across the State. Traditions of animal sacrificing, however, might be an age-old tradition. Religion should be about having and giving mercy, kindness and compassion, not about killing.

Nilakshi M. Daimary,

Guwahati