Sunday, September 28, 2008

1000 people rally against animal sacrifice


The thing that give us hope. Last Saturday over one thousand people rallied against animal sacrifice. They walked from Badrakali temple (notorious for sacrifice) to the Mandala at Maitighar, carrying playcard and banners saying 'Stop Animal Sacrifice' and 'Animals look up to you, don't let them down'. Animal Nepal participated with banners showing the sad looking goddess Kali carrying a beheaded goat, questioning 'Do worship and cruelty go together?'

There was talk of cancellation, and for good reasons. After Finance Minister Bhatterai announced the government would no longer spend millions on animal sacrifice thousands of angry Newars hit the street. The city came to a standstill and cars and buses were vandalised in what are now known as the 'buffalo riots'.

The Newars, the original inhabitants of the Kathmandu Valley, did not want to give up their 'right' to publicly sacrifice innocent animals, with State support. Two days later the Minister gave in. This Dasain again hundreds of buffaloes, goats, chicken, and other creatures will be publicly beheaded, and the nation will be watching it live on TV.

The anti-sacrifice rally incluced many Newars and representatives of the Hindu, Buddhist, Jain and Christian religion. They wonder what kind of State the New Nepal will be. If animal sacrifice is paid for, then what about other religious rituals? Will we soon have 'ramadan riots', 'lhosar riots' and 'Christmas riots'?

But on Saturday the protestors looked happy and relaxed. They celebrated community, vegetarianism, religion without cruelty, and respect for animals. I wish every day was rally day.



















3 comments:

J the Ghost said...

Congrats my Friends!!!
keep on doing this important job!

best wishes,
and much love

Independent Activists 4 Animal Rights/ Serbia

p.s.
check our oppinions on Animal Sacrifice here:

Silent Gods and Raging Devils (rituals of Animal sacrifice)
http://c4sain.bravejournal.com/entry/31706

fred said...

Palden Dorje Plans to Give Blessings to Pilgrims and to Protest Animal Sacrifice at Ancient Festival

http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-331005
www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-331005?ref=feeds%2Flatest
You can help by signing the stop-gadimai petition.
www.gopetition.com/petitions/stop-gadimai/signatures.html

Anonymous said...

The civilization is suffering from superstations since its formation. Illiteracy and foolish superstations have defined our religious customs. Every illiterate ad add to the superstation because of poor or no realization. Illiterate Taliban gives Islam a barbaric meaning, in India Tantric has created a f*****G version of Hinduism (sanatan dharma), and there are similar Christians who has spoilt the meaning of Christianity. The actual problem is true literacy.
Animal sacrifice is common in Nepal, Assam, Bihar, Orissa, some part of Bengal and Tamil Nadu. Needless to say Indian illiterate community has strong presence in these states.
In this lawless country weak governments never tried to develop awareness because leaders are unaware. I remember a district Superintendent of Police (I forgot name of that foolish guy) of Assam sacrificing a buffalo in temple……such a illiterate guy he is!!! The escaped powerless king of Nepal is another such character. I hope someday such shameful superstations will be checked by strict law.
Dr. Sandeep Sharma, NY, USA.