High court's historic ruling banning animal sacrifices in tempura temples

Agartala, September 28, 2019, Saturday

The Tripura High Court on Friday issued a historic verdict of a public interest petition. Tripura High Court has banned the practice of offering sacrifices in the temples of the state. All the temples of the state have declared a ban on the sacrifice of animals or birds.

A bench of Chief Justice Sanjay Karol and Arindam Lodh passed the verdict. Retired Judge Bhattacharjee filed a public interest petition for this. The High Court has ruled against the state government lawyer. The advocate of the state government argued that the sacrifices offered in the temples are an age-old tradition.

The petition stated that animal sacrifice is a cruel act against animals, it should be stopped. The High Court has asked every district administration and police officers to comply with the directive. The High Court has stated in its order that no animal or bird sacrifice will be allowed to any person, including the government, in the state.

Devotees can donate a goat to the temple if they wish but cannot sacrifice it. The lawyer of the government stated in his argument that sacrificing is a tradition of ancient times. It is a tantric form of devotion.

One of the 51 Shaktipeeth inside Tripura is the temple of Mother Tripuraswari. Where thousands of people come to see him every day. This temple is also known for the animal sacrifices offered there. The state government itself sacrifices one goat every day there.

Animal sacrifices will also be banned following the High Court order. The court has directed the magistrates of West and Gomri districts to comply with the new rules in the Tripureshwari Temple and Chaturdas Deva Bari Temple in their district.

It has also ordered the installation of CCTV cameras with immediate effect in both the temples. Arguing in the High Court, the state government lawyer spoke about the agreement made by Tripura state during the independence with India. It has been said that the government will traditionally be able to worship at Mother Tripureshwari and other temples.