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Animal sacrifice
 Though
the legislation seeking a ban on animal and bird sacrifices was enacted in Tamil
Nadu in 1950 by the then Congress Government, the law remained only on paper and
no government enforced it. However, the AIADMK Government has now chosen it fit
to enforce the law strictly and has ordered a clamp down on such rituals.
A mass animal sacrifice at the
altar of the Sudalai Andavan Temple at Sirumalanji, 40 kms from Tirunelveli in
southern Tamil Nadu, with more than one lakh villagers participating in the
temple festival, was prevented by the police. According to some newspaper
reports, there was also a mild lathi charge to control the agitated mob.
Subsequently, the devotees offered the animal sacrifice at another place, some
distance away from the temple. A section of the media also reported that the
temple has been temporarily closed down by the police to prevent further
sacrificial offerings. Police have set up check-posts close to some major
temples like Periyapalayam Amman Temple near Chennai, where they seize animals
and birds, intended for sacrifice, from the devotees.
Those inclined towards rational
and logical thinking are against such slaughter of animals and birds in temple
premises, that too in a country where Mahaveera was born and preached against
killing of living beings. However, the ground reality in India is that most of
the people are 'meat-eaters' and are very much accustomed to consuming
non-vegetarian items. This may also be the reason why Jainism could not flourish
in India where most people are non-vegetarians and therefore could not take to
Jainism in a bigger way.
The question that rises here is
whether the Government should interfere with the religious sentiments of the
people. Even the NDA Government at the Centre, essentially led by the BJP, has
not been able to have its way regarding introduction of legislation against cow
slaughter in India. Hindus living in villages treat such sacrifice of animals
and birds in village temples as a religious ritual and point out that such
sacrifices have been prevalent from time immemorial. According to these
devotees, there are two categories of deities, one set being vegetarian and the
other like 'Muneeswaran' and 'Kali' essentially non-vegetarian.
For
centuries, devotees in rural areas have been making such sacrifices to these
'non-vegetarian deities' as rituals. But these occurred mostly in remote village
temples without causing inconvenience to other devotees. Such slaughter never
took place in famous temples in the towns. Moreover, these devotees from the
countryside staunchly believed that if such sacrifices are not made, they would
invite the wrath of these deities. The Government would perhaps have to first
create awareness among the rural masses about such misconceived notions before
embarking on the implementation of the legislation. Wherever such practices
occurred, the district collector concerned could be asked to invite the
important village leaders for discussions and impress upon them the need to
discontinue such practices.
 The Government's move to punish
such devotees has come in for criticism from some political parties. In the
Sirumalanji Village temple incident, a devotee, Muthuraj, was kept under house
arrest. The Madras High Court has given directions to the State Government not
to effect any arrest and to release the detained person.
The Government has a delicate
mission before it of having to dissuade devotees who as a gesture of
thanksgiving feel they have to implement their solemn vow of making an animal
sacrifice. They have a sentimental feeling that if the vow is not fulfilled,
they would incur the wrath of the Gods and undergo hardship.
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IF PEOPLE SHOULD ENJOY THEIR R..... - R.VENKATESH, CHENNAI, 2/28/2004
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withdrawn of the animal sacrif..... - vijayakumar, coimbatore, 2/28/2004
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it's all to please the voters...... - angelo prem.m, trichyres, 2/26/2004
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Yes! The act indicates that th..... - v s vasan, Sirkali, 2/26/2004
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Yes! The act indicates that th..... - v s vasan, Sirkali, 2/26/2004
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Therefore, while the Government
construed such acts as barbaric, it has to deal with devotees in rural areas who
would not like to displease the Gods. What is viewed as a crime by the
Government, is seen as an act by villagers to please the Gods. The previous DMK
government too had a harrowing experience after it pulled up one of its own
ministers for participating in a 'walk on burning coals' during a temple
festival. He belonged to the 'weaker section' of the society. A prominent DMK
member was also rebuked for sporting a 'pottu' (religious mark on the forehead).
It is another matter that this person later got a party ticket to contest a Lok
Sabha seat. Where does rationalism end and where does pragmatism begin, is a
difficult question to answer in a State where dogmas rule even during Dravidian
rule! But they can be waived or set aside at the drop of a hat! Or they can
reappear in colours of yellow or green!
Some political parties have
said that Dalits are the most affected by this legislation against animal
sacrifice. The question is how long can the ruling party sacrifice votes for the
sake of a principled fight against animal sacrifice?
Harvey
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