FIR in animal sacrifice case in Rohru festival registered

SHIMLA: Complying with the court directives banning all forms of animal sacrifice at religious public places, the police today registered an FIR in the reported animal sacrifice that took place at the temple of Dwarkul in Diswani area of Rohru during the Shant Mahaygya, organized after 49 years.

Pratibha Chauhan

Tribune News Service

Shimla, January 10

Complying with the court directives banning all forms of animal sacrifice at religious public places, the police today registered an FIR in the reported animal sacrifice that took place at the temple of Dwarkul in Diswani area of Rohru during the Shant Mahaygya, organized after 49 years.

It is learnt that four goats had been sacrificed in each of the four directions to appease deities at a religious function yesterday. The FIR has been registered in Chirgaon Police Station under Section 429 and 188 of the Indian Penal Code against unknown persons for violating the ban, as per High Court order.

Kamal Kishore, Deputy Superintendent Police (DSP), Rohru said that investigations would begin to ascertain as to who were the persons responsible for this cruelty towards animals and for violation of the High Court order. Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Rohru, Anupam Thakur, too confirmed that inquiry orders had been issued.

The religious ceremony has great sanctity and people from the adjoining villages had turned up in large numbers to take part in it as it was being held almost after half a century.

It is reliably learnt that a local head priest along with other saints and devotees took a round of the village and then using the knives, swords and khukris, made the sacrifice. More than 17 local deities had also arrived at the village to take part in the religious function. The locals and those who are associated with the ceremony danced while the offerings were made to the deities.

The police action has been taken in view of the fact that the High Court in its order in October 14, 2015 had imposed complete ban on any kind of animal sacrifice in all temples and public places. Infact, in a major departure from tradition, no animal sacrifice has been made at the Kullu Dusshera for the last two years. Kullu legislator Maheshwar Singh had even condfemned the High Court stating that animal sacrifice is part of the hill culture, traditions and religious beliefs. He has challenged the order which is still pending in the Supreme Court.

Rohru MLA Mohan Lal Brakta, SDM and DSP too had attended the meeting. They have however stated that while they were present no animal sacrifice was made and it might have taken place later of which they have no knowledge. It is a common practice in all the temples in Himachal to offer animal sacrifice to appease the deities.