We cannot make all of India vegetarian : Calcutta High Court

Calcutta High Court denies plea to suspend the sacrifice of 10,000 animals at a temple for Kali Puja in Bengal

Kolkata (Bengal) – A bench of the Calcutta High Court, during its holiday session, denied the plea to suspend animal sacrifices at the Bolla Kali Temple in South Dinajpur, in observance of Kali Puja. The court stated that religious practices in Eastern India differ from those in Northern India, and thus, it would not be appropriate to ban these traditions. For many communities, these may be deemed ‘essential religious practices.’ We cannot make all of India vegetarian.

In a petition filed by the All- India Agricultural Cow Protection Association (The Association) seeking immediate relief to stop the animal sacrifices scheduled for 1st November 2024, the court stated that it would not be appropriate to issue an interim order without conducting a full hearing of the case.

The High Court opined that animal sacrifice is not an essential religious practice and that there is a significant difference in what constitutes essential practices in Northern and Eastern India. The debate over whether mythological characters were vegetarian or non-vegetarian remains contentious.

The Association also requested the court to direct the Animal Welfare Board of India to immediately stop the brutal and illegal animal sacrifices occurring in various temples across the State. When asked by the court if they wanted a ban in all temples, the Association clarified that they currently sought a ban only at a specific temple in South Dinajpur (Bolla Kali Temple).

In response, the court stated that it is clear that Eastern India cannot be made vegetarian. There is no need to challenge the validity of Section 28 (Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960) nationwide, as the practice of sacrifice is not an essential religious practice for Kali Puja or any other worship. People in Eastern India observe it, and their eating habits differ.

Last year, the Association had appealed to the court to impose a ban on the sacrifice of 10,000 goats and buffaloes during the Bolla Kali Puja. At that time, too, the court had denied interim relief to stop the sacrifices. The bench had, however, agreed to consider the legality of animal sacrifices in Bengal from a broader perspective.