The People for Animals Society has expressed concern over the media reports that on December 1st, an alarming number of goats and buffaloes are scheduled to be sacrificed at the Bolla Kali Temple in Dakshin Dinajpur, West Bengal.

The NGO said that this practice, known as Bali, was in violation of various state and national laws. Despite its mythological background, this barbaric practice is not acceptable in modern society. It is similar to age-old practices like Sati pratha, Polygamy, Child marriage, Female infanticide, Dowry, Triple Talaq, Abetment of sati, which have been abolished by the constitution.

Dr. Sandeep Kumar Jain, founder president of the NGO and state coordinator of the Vishwa Jain Sangathan said that slaughter of animals in such a gruesome way is against the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 and Section 428 and 429 of the Indian Penal Code.

The law prohibits people from officiating at animal sacrifices. Moreover, the Supreme Court of India has declared that animal sacrifice is not protected under Article 25 of the Constitution. It is only applicable to essential religious practices that form an integral part of a religion. The Court has held that religious practices based on mere superstitions and are extraneous or unnecessary cannot be protected under Article 25.

Plethora of Judgments of Supreme Court as well as from various High Courts have condemned the deleterious rituals groomed under the grab of reverence riding on superstition and fables for which innocent voiceless paying thru their life.

The NGO has urged the temple committee to stop the Bali practice in all the religious places under their control. In case the practice continues, legal action will be initiated against all responsible for this inhumane, barbaric practice. The state should intervene to strike a balance between the law and religious practices.