Tripura Government to Move Supreme Court Over High Court's Order Banning Animal Sacrifice

Agartala, October 1, 2019:

The Tripura Government has decided to challenge Tripura High Court’s landmark verdict banning animal sacrifice the state's temples. Tripura's Law Minister Ratan Lal Nath said that the state government had decided to move the Apex Court, seeking a different opinion on the matter.

The Minister told mediapersons on Monday, "The subject is itself controversial in nature and there are people in both sides—supporting the verdict and opposing too. As government, we respect the verdict of High Court but as the subject invited wide range of reactions from the different corridors of the society, the government wants a wider view on the matter. Thus we have decided to file an SLP with the Apex Court seeking a wider outcome on the issue."

After getting the verdict, he said, we have discussed with each other (in the cabinet). The verdict was given envisaging two specific acts—The Article 25 (1) of the Indian constitution which ensures right to religion and Prevention of Cruelty to Animal’s act 1960.

As per the second act, he continued, no animal sacrifice is considered to be an offence if committed in religious purpose. Former Tripura judge Subhas Bhattacharjee’s PIL takes both the laws in consideration, he added saying that after the verdict was given mixed reaction have been started getting in from different corridors of the society.

The Law Minister also told media that, as a responsible government, a decision was taken to take the matter to the Supreme Court.

Earlier, former Congress President, lashed out against the Tripura High Court’s order banning the ritualistic sacrifice of animals and birds at the temples in the State.

In a video posted on his official Facebook account, the royal scion said that he had often advocated for the banning of animal slaughter with his deceased father, being an animal lover himself. “However, this should be done by holding discussions with various stakeholders of society”, he said, adding that the High Court cannot take any decisions regarding “religion, culture, and heritage.”

Manikya further stated that it is not the High Court’s role to interpret religious rites and rituals. He further added that the solution to this “problem” should be reached after “internal” discussions.

Support Inside Northeast (InsideNE), an independent media platform that focuses on Citizen-centric stories from Northeast India that are surprising, inspiring, cinematic and emotionally relevant.