NP: Unmoved by protests, Nepal set to host animal sacrifice fair - deploy extra security personnel

[Guest guest]

*Unmoved by protests, Nepal set to host animal sacrifice fair*

 

*Utpal Parashar, Hindustan Times*

 

* *

 

http://www.hindustantimes.com/Nepal-set-to-host-animal-sacrifice-fair/H1-Article\

1-474675.aspx

 

 

 

India’s animal rights activist and politician Maneka Gandhi’s protest and

Nepal’s ‘Budhha Boy’ Ram Bahadur Bomjan’s appeal won’t be able to prevent

the sacrifice of nearly half-a-million animals at this month’s Gadhimai Mela

in this Himalayan nation.

 

 

 

Billed as the world’s largest animal sacrifice fair, the event — held every

five years at Bariyapur in Bara district of southern Nepal — is expected to

attract about five million Hindus from across the country and neighbouring

India.

 

 

 

But despite protest from several quarters, the Nepal government has refused

to intervene in the religious custom meant to appease Goddess Gadhimai.

Instead, it has decided to provide adequate facilities for the two-day

ritual beginning November 24.

 

 

 

On Sunday, Home Minister Bhim Rawal assured the development committee of

parliament that 1,150 additional security personnel would be deployed in the

mela area for security of the pilgrims.

 

 

 

“Security could be a cause of concern as a large gathering would congregate

at the fair and there is difference of opinion among the local populace as

well on whether the custom should continue,” said chairman of the committee

Jitendra Sonar, who had visited Bariyapur recently.

 

 

 

According to estimates, nearly 500,000 animals, including buffaloes, goats,

ducks, roosters and pigeons, would be sacrificed at the fair to appease the

goddess. Some say the number has increased because of several Indian states

banning animal sacrifice for religious purposes.

 

 

 

“Since many devotees come from India, we have asked the administration in

Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, states that border Nepal, to stop smuggling of

animals and birds for the fair,” said D.B. Bomjan of Tamang Rashtriya Mukti

Morcha, an NGO.

 

 

 

Last month Maneka Gandhi had written to Nepal’s Prime Minister Madhav Kumar

Nepal seeking government intervention to stop the mass sacrifice.

 

 

 

 

--

Lucia de Vries

Freelance Journalist

Nepal - Netherlands