Nepal government reverse decision to stop sponsored mass animal sacrifice - row deepens

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*Row over animal sacrifice deepens* *Himalayan News Service* Kathmandu,

September 20:

 

Residents of Basantapur and neighbouring areas are angry over the alleged

violation of their " cultural rights " . They are demanding an apology from the

Finance Minster Dr Baburam Bhattarai for the latter's decision to stop

allocation of funds, which are required for animal sacrifice during the

traditional festivals.

 

Enraged locals protested till late this evening at the Kathmandu Durbar

Square. The protesters resorted to violence, vandalising ticket centres and

tourist information centre. Five policemen were injured in the incident.

Trouble started after residents received a letter from Kaushitosh Khana,

Guthi Sansthan, urging them to stop the sacrifice ritual, yesterday, which

also happened to be the last day of the week-long Indra Jatra festival.

 

The letter put a spanner into rituals like Lakhe and Pulukishi dance

programmes, which are traditionally accompanied by the sacrifice of

buffaloes. The chariot procession of Kumari — the Living Goddess — Ganesh

and Bhairhav in the city was thrown out of gear.

" The procession started at 4 pm. It was expected to return to the Kumari

Ghar at 7 pm followed by the conclusion of the festival, " said Achutananda

Pokharel, chief of Guthi Sansthan. However, the deities were brought back to

their respective places only around 3 am.

Both the Home and Finance Ministry have succumbed to the locals' pressure.

They sent a letter today, stating continuity to all festival and rituals.

But, it did little to soothe frayed tempers. Demands have been raised for a

12-point programme, seeking commitment from the government not to interfere

in cultural, traditional and religious issues.

 

" Sacrifice may not be a good religious and cultural practice. But the

government's abrupt decision is unacceptable. Attempts are being made to

introduce Cultural Revolution and change our social mores, " alleged Manoj

Newa Khadgi, president, Federation of Kathmandu Durbar Square Management and

Conservation. " The centuries-old cultural tradition in the Valley needs to

be perpetuated, " opined NC CA member Nabindra Raj Joshi.

 

UML leader Dr Mangal Siddhi Manandhar, Nabindra Raj Joshi, Buddha Sayami,

Newa Rastriya Party and government officials held a meeting this evening to

resolve the dispute.

 

 

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Lucia de Vries

Freelance Journalist

Bagdol, Patan, Nepal

Wijk 4-47, 8321 GE Urk, Holland