Raj Sadosh/Abohar.

The “People for Animals” organisation has appealed to not sacrifice owls on Diwali.

Dr. Sandeep K Jain, founder president of the Ludhiana based “People for Animals” and a co-opted member of the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) said in a statement that owls are very beneficial to maintain our environment by controlling pests, eat small rodents and worms.

This animal behaves eco-friendly like other natural scavenging animals. But during Deepavali so many people who are ignorant and controlled by Black magic, myths, talisman and old tradition, sacrifice the pity animal during worship of Goddess Laxmi Pujan in night of Deepawali, as to say that by sacrificing these Owls which is carrier or Vahan of Goddess Laxmi can stay at their house and wealth will be stayed.

Describing it a totally wrong conception, myth and ridiculous thing with lot of blind faiths over Tantrik or Black magic priests, Dr Jain said that during worship or puja the people brutally killed the poor fellow and use their blood, skull, kidney, heart, talons, feathers, beak, meat etc. and say its auspicious culture of Hindus. But it is not true, our Rishi Munis or any Ved Puranas not say such type of sacrifices, they always say “Ahinsa parmo dharma” and welfare of animals so they attach Owls as Vahan to Goddess Laxmi by which the people look for welfare of Owls and protect this endangered species. 

He said that the sacrifice or keeping an Owl in captivity is illegal under Wild Life Protection Act 1972, Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960 and Violation of Rules under The Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), in case it is Exotic one.