Guest guest Posted November 27, 2009 Report Share Posted November 27, 2009 Honorable Prime Minister and Officials of Nepal: Animal cruelty cannot hide behind religion or tradition in the 21st Century. Yet on November 24-25, 2009 the Gadhimai Jatra festival in Bara, Nepal justifies the massacre of hundreds of thousands of pigs, chickens, rats, goats, and pigeons as " sacrifice " to the Hindu goddess of power, Gadhimai. This semi-annual bloodbath alienates potential tourists, like myself, who object to a society that condones the senseless brutalization of animals. Furthermore, it desensitizes your own children, teaching them to ignore suffering and celebrate violence. Please ban blood festivals. I urge the Nepalese government to enforce stronger animal protection laws that shield animals from all forms of abuse, including grotesque rituals such as the Gadhimai Fair. As you know, the two-day contest involves men armed with knives who vie to slaughter the most animals. Contestants are awarded a fee for each kill. Death does not come quickly. Based on the " panchhbali " (five offerings), competitors slit the throats of five different species. Buffalo take so long to die that sword-bearing men cut them apart, starting with their back legs. I’m shocked that Nepalese officials not only allow this festival, but also pay to confine thousands of buffalo before it begins. Religious leaders have proposed fruits and vegetables in place of animal sacrifice. I respectfully ask you to embrace this nonviolent alternative and/or do everything within your power to permanently cancel the Gadhimai festival. Different cultures may not understand each other's customs, but all rational humans comprehend cruelty. The world recognizes the Gadhimai Jatra as outright animal torture. It's time that Nepal's government does too. Sincerely, Anita Mayangpuspa, Indonesia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 27, 2009 Report Share Posted November 27, 2009 dear Anita, Thank you so much for this letter. Please forward it to the PM, President, Deputy PM and Minister of Agriculture and Tourism. Pls find the addresses here (please note that email is not regularly used by them),. Pls note that faxes at certain times do not work due to electricity outings: *Honarable Prime *Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal Office of the Prime Minister, Singha Durbar Faxes: + 977 1 227 286 or 428 570 * * *Honarable State Minister for Foreign Affairs Ms* *Sujata Koirala* Address: Maharajgunj, Kathmandu Tel: 977-1-4416011, 4416012, 4416013, 4416014, 4416015 Fax: 977-1-4416016 *Right Honarable President Dr Ram Baran Yadav* Office of the President Sheetal Niwas, Kathmandu Fax no ++ 977 - 1 – 4416495 *Honarable Minister Mr Mrigendra Kumar Singh Yadav* Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Singha Durbar, Kathmandu, Nepal. Phone: 4211706,4211950,4211981,4211898,4211841,4211648,4211961, 4211905 Fax: 977-1- 4211935, 4211839 *Hon'ble Minister* *Mr* *Sharat Singh Bhandari* Ministry of Tourism & Civil Aviation Singha Durbar, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel.: 4211992, 4211669, 4211846, 4211847, 4211711, 4211685, 4211825, 4231196, 4211909 Fax: 977 1 4211758 Lucia. On Fri, Nov 27, 2009 at 5:57 AM, anita mayangpuspa <facobasten1984 > wrote: > > > > Honorable Prime Minister and Officials of Nepal: > > Animal cruelty cannot hide behind religion or tradition in the 21st > Century. > > Yet on November 24-25, 2009 the Gadhimai Jatra festival in Bara, Nepal > > justifies the massacre of hundreds of thousands of pigs, chickens, rats, > > goats, and pigeons as " sacrifice " to the Hindu goddess of power, Gadhimai. > > This semi-annual bloodbath alienates potential tourists, like myself, who > > object to a society that condones the senseless brutalization of animals. > > Furthermore, it desensitizes your own children, teaching them to ignore > > suffering and celebrate violence. > > Please ban blood festivals. I urge the Nepalese government to enforce > > stronger animal protection laws that shield animals from all forms of > abuse, > > including grotesque rituals such as the Gadhimai Fair. > > As you know, the two-day contest involves men armed with knives who vie to > > slaughter the most animals. Contestants are awarded a fee for each kill. > > Death does not come quickly. Based on the " panchhbali " (five offerings), > > competitors slit the throats of five different species. Buffalo take so > long > > to die that sword-bearing men cut them apart, starting with their back > legs. > > I’m shocked that Nepalese officials not only allow this festival, but also > > pay to confine thousands of buffalo before it begins. Religious leaders > have > > proposed fruits and vegetables in place of animal sacrifice. I respectfully > > ask you to embrace this nonviolent alternative and/or do everything within > > your power to permanently cancel the Gadhimai festival. > > Different cultures may not understand each other's customs, but all > rational > > humans comprehend cruelty. The world recognizes the Gadhimai Jatra as > > outright animal torture. It's time that Nepal's government does too. > > Sincerely, > > Anita Mayangpuspa, Indonesia > > -- Lucia de Vries Freelance Journalist Nepal - Netherlands Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.