Hope soars after end to animal slaughter at Bunkhal Fair

The successful end to animal slaughter in the name of religion at the Bunkhal Fair has raised hopes among animal rights activists in the State.

Activists now hope that the successful prevention of animal sacrifice at Bunkhal will set an example and pave the way for the Uttarakhand High Court ordering a blanket ban on all mass animal sacrifice.

The People For Animals, Uttarakhand member secretary and co-opted member of the Animal Welfare Board of India, Gauri Maulekhi said that they are eagerly awaiting the final hearing of the case filed by PFA Uttarakhand in the High Court which is slated to be held on November 29.

Activists are hopeful that the barbaric practice of animal slaughter ritual will also be discontinued in other temples in different parts of the State which it is presently continuing following the end of this practice at Bunkhal. The fair held at Bunkhal was infamous for the thousands of animals sacrifice including of buffaloes, goats and birds.

PFA had filed a petition in the Uttarakhand High Court last year calling for an end to what is not only an inhuman practice but also a violation of various laws.

However, in spite of efforts made by the district administration and animal activists, some animal were slaughtered in the previous year. This year however, the goddess was offered milk in stead of the blood.

Maulekhi informed that the PFA will now focus its efforts on preventing the continuation of the barbaric mass slaughter of animals held at Gangolihat in Kumaon region of the State.

Many animals are slaughtered here every year during the festival of Dusshera. Speaking on the issue of the implementation of Animal Sacrifice Prohibition Act to check mass sacrifice in temples, she said though the draft document was ready, the State Government didn’t take any initiative towards bringing the Act into implementation in the Uttarakhand.