Front Page   

End bull-killing ritual, Maneka urges Pretoria

Johannesburg: On behalf of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals Asia, Animal rights activist Maneka Gandhi appealed to South African President Jacob Zuma for an end to the centuries-old cultural rite in which a bull is killed bare-handed by young men.

The Zulu ritual of Ukweshwama or ‘First Fruits Festival’ is held early in December every year as a thanksgiving practice for bountiful harvests. The practice is not subject to animal rights laws because of its constitutional protection as a cultural practice.

“While I respect culture, this bull-killing ritual causes extreme suffering to an innocent creature and has no place in the modern world,” she wrote, likening the campaign against the practice to the fight against infanticide, female circumcision, foot-binding, bull-fighting, and even slavery. There was no comment from Mr. Zuma’s office on the matter. — PTI

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Manmohan wants world to stand firm on Afghanistan
Yeddyurappa will stay, Shobha may be dropped
Manmohan clears elevation of 4 judges
Congress, NCP stake claim
State seeks higher PDS rice quota
Pakistan link to plot to attack NDC: Chidambaram
2 killed as gunman goes berserk in Orlando
IBM announces analytics centre for Bangalore
Sir Arthur Cotton’s grandson to visit India
End bull-killing ritual, Maneka urges Pretoria
Kannur students win top honours in The Hindu Young World Quiz
Madhu Koda’s aide arrested
Hanging bridge at Areekode soon: VS
All set for crucial by-elections today
35 killed in bus accident
Central forces to be on guard duty at polling booths: EC
I.S.N. Prasad replaces V.P. Baligar as Principal Secretary to Chief Minister

Copyright © 2009, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu