Animal sacrifice: major breakthrough in Bengal

[Guest guest]

Wow Shuhotbroto - that is a breakthrough! Perhaps the time is ripe for

change here in Nepal as well. If Child Clubs would head for the temples many

goats would be spared the public knife perhaps...thx for the post.

Jigs

 

 

 

 

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 19:17:52 +0530

<aapn >

Animal sacrifice: major breakthrough in Bengal

 

 

 

 

**

*Anandabazar Patrika, Bardhaman News, 9th July, 2008*

 

* *

 

*Bamunara Club halts two hundred years' sacrifice tradition*

 

* *

 

*Subrata Sit, Durgapur*

 

* *

 

*Saratchandra's Lalu had to act adroitly to prevent animal sacrifice in

Manohar Chatterjee's residence. But nothing of that sort took place in

Bamunara in Durgapur. A few people resisted in the beginning. But thanks to

the support of the overwhelming majority of the community a resolution to

stall goat sacrifice in the two hundred year old Dharmaraj temple was

passed.*

 

* *

 

*Village elders have informed that in the past, hundreds of goats used to be

sacrificed in the temple. The number had come down to one hundred fifty in

recent times. Mostly during the Dharmaraj gajan festival. Also on the

occasion of special vows throughout the year on Saturdays and Tuesdays. This

year too, thirty two goats were sacrificed in a day. The maddening noise of

the dhak combined with the bellowing of devotees. Goats were sacrificed at

the altar one after another. The animals waiting to be slaughtered shivered

standing on the sidelines. Children cried in fear. Many left the temple in

fear. Many adults cringed in disgust. Many in the village were opposed to

the ritual. But they lacked the courage to speak out.*

 

* *

 

* It was at this point of time that Bamunara's 'Aamra Kojon Nature Club'

entered the fray. Club members became vocal against the practice after this

year's Dharmaraj gajan festival. There was a widespread response. Temple

partners came forward too. *

 

* *

 

* The chief priest of the temple did not hover as well. Sensing a meaningful

reaction, the temple committee called for a meeting. The members of the

temple governing committee were present. Temple priests attended. And the

Nature Club members were present of course. In the meeting, some objected to

the discontinuance of a two hundred years old tradition. But they were

caught in the logic of others.*

 

* *

 

*Club members said, " A public sacrifice with such ostentation leads to

negative influence exerted on children. " A temple partner, Shyamapada Ray

stated, " It is humans who have started the tradition of sacrificing animals

in temples. Therefore there is no reason to not get rid of it. " The chief

priest of the temple, Ganesh Acharya, argued against the practice of animal

sacrifice. He commented, " A lot is changing with the passage of time. We can

consider the issue of stopping animal sacrifice in the temple. " The meeting

endorsed the resolution to discontinue animal sacrifice. The sacrifice altar

was demolished. The decision was conveyed through a notice hung on the

temple wall.*

 

* *

 

* The Bamunara Nature Club is pleased with the success in Bamunara. Now they

have decided to appeal against animal sacrifice in the adjoining Arra

Bhagawati Temple and Banskopa during the nabanna festival. Club secretary

Samir Ray said, " We have succeeded because the residents of Banskopa have

come forward. We hope residents of Arra and Banskopa will also agree with

our stance against animal sacrifice. " *

 

 

[Guest guest]

This is truly fantastic news.

 

We need more people like Ganesh Acharya and organisations like the

Aamra Kojon Nature Club.

 

Dharmaraja's blessings will be with them.

 

S. Chinny Krishna

 

 

 

 

 

aapn [aapn ] On Behalf Of

 

16 July 2008 19:18

aapn

Animal sacrifice: major breakthrough in Bengal

 

**

*Anandabazar Patrika, Bardhaman News, 9th July, 2008*

 

* *

 

*Bamunara Club halts two hundred years' sacrifice tradition*

 

* *

 

*Subrata Sit, Durgapur*

 

* *

 

*Saratchandra's Lalu had to act adroitly to prevent animal sacrifice in

Manohar Chatterjee's residence. But nothing of that sort took place in

Bamunara in Durgapur. A few people resisted in the beginning. But thanks

to

the support of the overwhelming majority of the community a resolution

to

stall goat sacrifice in the two hundred year old Dharmaraj temple was

passed.*

 

* *

 

*Village elders have informed that in the past, hundreds of goats used

to be

sacrificed in the temple. The number had come down to one hundred fifty

in

recent times. Mostly during the Dharmaraj gajan festival. Also on the

occasion of special vows throughout the year on Saturdays and Tuesdays.

This

year too, thirty two goats were sacrificed in a day. The maddening noise

of

the dhak combined with the bellowing of devotees. Goats were sacrificed

at

the altar one after another. The animals waiting to be slaughtered

shivered

standing on the sidelines. Children cried in fear. Many left the temple

in

fear. Many adults cringed in disgust. Many in the village were opposed

to

the ritual. But they lacked the courage to speak out.*

 

* *

 

* It was at this point of time that Bamunara's 'Aamra Kojon Nature Club'

entered the fray. Club members became vocal against the practice after

this

year's Dharmaraj gajan festival. There was a widespread response. Temple

partners came forward too. *

 

* *

 

* The chief priest of the temple did not hover as well. Sensing a

meaningful

reaction, the temple committee called for a meeting. The members of the

temple governing committee were present. Temple priests attended. And

the

Nature Club members were present of course. In the meeting, some

objected to

the discontinuance of a two hundred years old tradition. But they were

caught in the logic of others.*

 

* *

 

*Club members said, " A public sacrifice with such ostentation leads to

negative influence exerted on children. " A temple partner, Shyamapada

Ray

stated, " It is humans who have started the tradition of sacrificing

animals

in temples. Therefore there is no reason to not get rid of it. " The

chief

priest of the temple, Ganesh Acharya, argued against the practice of

animal

sacrifice. He commented, " A lot is changing with the passage of time. We

can

consider the issue of stopping animal sacrifice in the temple. " The

meeting

endorsed the resolution to discontinue animal sacrifice. The sacrifice

altar

was demolished. The decision was conveyed through a notice hung on the

temple wall.*

 

* *

 

* The Bamunara Nature Club is pleased with the success in Bamunara. Now

they

have decided to appeal against animal sacrifice in the adjoining Arra

Bhagawati Temple and Banskopa during the nabanna festival. Club

secretary

Samir Ray said, " We have succeeded because the residents of Banskopa

have

come forward. We hope residents of Arra and Banskopa will also agree

with

our stance against animal sacrifice. " *

 

 

[Guest guest]

*Dear Jigme and Dr Krishna,*

* Many thanks for your responses and this is truly a

magnificent achievement. Just a small clarification for the last paragraph

that reads: " Club secretary Samir Ray said, " We have succeeded because the

residents of Banskopa have come forward. We hope residents of Arra and

Banskopa will also agree with our stance against animal sacrifice. " *

* This should read : " Club secretary Samir Ray said, " We have succeeded

because the residents of Bamunara have come forward. We hope residents of

Arra and Banskopa will also agree with our stance against animal sacrifice. "

Bamunara is the place where local residents teamed with the Aamra Kojon

Nature Club to stop animal sacrifice. Banskopa and Arra are the places where

the club is considering launching further campaigns against animal

sacrifice. Regarding local residents coming forward, I mentioned Banskopa

instead of Bamunara. My mistake in translation.*

* Regards and best wishes,*

 

* *

 

 

 

On 7/17/08, Dr.Chinny Krishna <drkrishna wrote:

>

> This is truly fantastic news.

>

>

>

> We need more people like Ganesh Acharya and organisations like the

>

> Aamra Kojon Nature Club.

>

>

>

> Dharmaraja's blessings will be with them.

>

>

>

> S. Chinny Krishna

>

 

> ** aapn [aapn ] *On Behalf Of

*

> Ghosh

> *Sent:* 16 July 2008 19:18

> *To:* aapn

> *Subject:* Animal sacrifice: major breakthrough in Bengal

>

>

>

> **

> *Anandabazar Patrika, Bardhaman News, 9th July, 2008*

>

> * *

>

> *Bamunara Club halts two hundred years' sacrifice tradition*

>

> * *

>

> *Subrata Sit, Durgapur*

>

> * *

>

> *Saratchandra's Lalu had to act adroitly to prevent animal sacrifice in

> Manohar Chatterjee's residence. But nothing of that sort took place in

> Bamunara in Durgapur. A few people resisted in the beginning. But thanks to

> the support of the overwhelming majority of the community a resolution to

> stall goat sacrifice in the two hundred year old Dharmaraj temple was

> passed.*

>

> * *

>

> *Village elders have informed that in the past, hundreds of goats used to

> be

> sacrificed in the temple. The number had come down to one hundred fifty in

> recent times. Mostly during the Dharmaraj gajan festival. Also on the

> occasion of special vows throughout the year on Saturdays and Tuesdays.

> This

> year too, thirty two goats were sacrificed in a day. The maddening noise of

> the dhak combined with the bellowing of devotees. Goats were sacrificed at

> the altar one after another. The animals waiting to be slaughtered shivered

> standing on the sidelines. Children cried in fear. Many left the temple in

> fear. Many adults cringed in disgust. Many in the village were opposed to

> the ritual. But they lacked the courage to speak out.*

>

> * *

>

> * It was at this point of time that Bamunara's 'Aamra Kojon Nature Club'

> entered the fray. Club members became vocal against the practice after this

> year's Dharmaraj gajan festival. There was a widespread response. Temple

> partners came forward too. *

>

> * *

>

> * The chief priest of the temple did not hover as well. Sensing a

> meaningful

> reaction, the temple committee called for a meeting. The members of the

> temple governing committee were present. Temple priests attended. And the

> Nature Club members were present of course. In the meeting, some objected

> to

> the discontinuance of a two hundred years old tradition. But they were

> caught in the logic of others.*

>

> * *

>

> *Club members said, " A public sacrifice with such ostentation leads to

> negative influence exerted on children. " A temple partner, Shyamapada Ray

> stated, " It is humans who have started the tradition of sacrificing animals

> in temples. Therefore there is no reason to not get rid of it. " The chief

> priest of the temple, Ganesh Acharya, argued against the practice of animal

> sacrifice. He commented, " A lot is changing with the passage of time. We

> can

> consider the issue of stopping animal sacrifice in the temple. " The meeting

> endorsed the resolution to discontinue animal sacrifice. The sacrifice

> altar

> was demolished. The decision was conveyed through a notice hung on the

> temple wall.*

>

> * *

>

> * The Bamunara Nature Club is pleased with the success in Bamunara. Now

> they

> have decided to appeal against animal sacrifice in the adjoining Arra

> Bhagawati Temple and Banskopa during the nabanna festival. Club secretary

> Samir Ray said, " We have succeeded because the residents of Banskopa have

> come forward. We hope residents of Arra and Banskopa will also agree with

> our stance against animal sacrifice. " *

>

>