It is unfortunate that despite global appeals, Nepal went ahead with the mass slaughter of animals and birds at Gadhimai, in what is described as the world’s largest such exercise. The pictures one has seen are blood-curdling.
Held every five years, the event last time saw the sacrificial slaughter of nearly 5,00,000 animals including water buffaloes, pigs, goats, chickens, rats and pigeons. Though it has been defended as a ritual connected with people’s faith, and that it could not have been banned lest sentiments were hurt, one needs to look at it objectively. It is laudable that India tried to do its bit by monitoring the movement of animals from Bihar and U.P. One is reminded of the saying: “From beasts we scorn as soulless, In forest, field and den, The cry goes up to witness, The soullessness of men.” And Aurobindo said, “Life is life — whether in a cat, or dog or man. There is no difference there between a cat or a man. The idea of difference is a human conception for man’s own advantage.” One can also think of this: “Deliberate cruelty to our defenceless and beautiful little cousins is surely one of the meanest and most detestable vices of which a human being can be guilty.”
Navamita Chatterjee,
Kohima
