(IN) Animal sacrifice stopped. 10 Buffaloes rescued.

[Guest guest]

Animal sacrifice stopped. 10 Buffaloes rescued.

 

For Immediate Press Release -

by People For Animals, Pune

 

Contact : Dhiraj Jain - 989.079.3853

 

Friday, June 29, 2007

 

Place - Varghad Mata Temple,

Opposite Hotel Mahabaleshwar,

Baner

 

Date - June 29

Time - 1 PM to 8 PM.

 

Occasion - Annual Jatra of Varghad Mata

 

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People for Animals' Pune unit was alerted by Beauty Without Cruelty

about an animal sacrifice that was to take place in Baner area.

 

When PFA Animal Welfare Officer, Dhiraj Jain, reached the place, he

found that around 500 devotees (bhaktas) of Varghad Mata from all over

the Maharashtra were gathered at the temple for the jatra and

sacrifice ceremony. Varghad mata is a kuldaiwat (Goddess) of Mang

Garudi community.

 

The buffaloes were cruelly decorated and were smeared with gulal.

There were 10 calf who were being offered for slaughter which is

against the Maharashtra Preservation of Animals Act 1976 and also

against the December 2006 order by Bombay High court.

 

A police complaint was lodged with the Chattursinghi police station by

People for Animals's Animal Welfare Officer Dhiraj Jain to stop the

sacrifice under the Maharashtra Preservation of Animals Act 1976 and

also the Bombay Provincial Municipal Act that prohibits slaughtering

of animals anywhere other than a sanctioned slaughter house.

 

Chattursinghi police swung immediately into action and sent its team

to investigate the matter. They immediately halted the sacrifice and

made arrangements to take away the animals. The animals were sent to

the Go Shala managed by Jeev Daya Maha Mandal.

 

It is ironic that innocent animals are slaughtered on name of god.

 

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Contacts for Clarifications

 

Dhiraj Jain, Animal Welfare Officer, People for Animals, 989.079.3853

Mr. Kambale, API, Aundh Police Station, 02026208488