FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
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Temple bans five-yearly mass animal sacrifice

Temple bans five-yearly mass animal sacrifice

Katmandu - A temple in southern Nepal-known for the mass slaughter of animals at a festival thereevery five years has indefinitely banned animal sacrifice,India's Humane Society International said on Tuesday.

The twice-in-a-decade ritual of slaughtering tens ofthousands of animals at the Gadhimai temple, located about 90miles (145 km) south of Kathmandu, has drawn internationalcondemnation from animal rights groups in recent years.
"Obviously we are very happy with this decision," said ManojGautam of Animal Welfare Network Nepal, which has beencampaigning for an end to the slaughter.
"But it doesn't mean our job is done ... We need publicsupport and participation to make sure this ban is upheld," hesaid. Temple officials were not immediately available forcomment.
Millions of pilgrims from India and Nepal regularly attendthe festival, where animals have been sacrificed in past yearsto Gadhimai, a goddess of power.
According to the Humane Society International, an estimated500,000 buffaloes, goats, chickens and other animals were killedat the temple in 2009.
Those numbers dropped during the next festival in 2014,after India's Supreme Court issued an order prohibiting animalsfrom being taken across the border to Nepal for sacrifice at thefestival, campaigners said.
Animal rights groups plan to spend the remaining three-plusyears before the next festival working in the Indian states thatborder Nepal to spread awareness of the temple's decision.
Nepal's lawmakers are currently in the late stages ofpreparing a constitution for the country. A Hindu kingdom until2008, there is fierce debate over whether Nepal should bedeclared a secular state in the new document.
"There will definitely be individuals who will notappreciate this decision," said Gautam. "But I don't see anygroups or organisations coming out against this right now."
 
 
 
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