Animal Sacrifice In Kamakhya Devi Temple – Burning Issues

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Kamakhya Devi Temple

The temple is primary amongst the 51 Shakti Peethas.
Major religious site in Hinduism
Current temple structure – 16^th century
No idol/image – The inner sanctum within the vimana, the garbhagriha, is below ground level and consists of no image but a rock fissure in the shape of a ’yoni’.

‘Mahakumbh of the East’
Four day annual mela held in the temple complex in June
The festival marks the annual menstruation of the presiding Goddess.
Garbhagriha is closed for devotees for four days.
Attracts lakhs of devotees from different parts of the country and abroad.
The ritualistic fair celebrating the goddess’ period – taboo associated with menstruation is less in Assam.

The Kamakhya Temple is known for its tradition of ritual sacrifice, especially during Durga Puja every year .
Birds, buffaloes, goats, pigeons and ducks
The practice has often been target of animal rights organisations.

Centuries old tradition.
Sustains the local economy – sellers
The meat is not wasted – It is distributed among devotees at the temple.
Many poor families in the area depend upon the ’Prasad’ (meat of offered animal).
The meat is distributed among many tribal families living in the hills surrounding the city.
Animal offering is VOLUNTARY for devotees, not compulsory – other methods of offerings exist too.
There is no ban on meat shops and slaughterhouses or for personal consumption.

Unnecessary pain & suffering on an animal.
Love and compassion for animals
Humanism
Traditions do change with time.
Freedom of religion is subject to the rigours of public order, morality, and health.
Majority of Hindu temples do not have a tradition of ritual sacrifice.

The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960
“Saving as respects manner of killing prescribed by religion: Nothing contained in this Act shall render it an offence to kill any animal in a manner required by the religion of any community.”

Kerala Animals and Bird Sacrifices Prohibition Act, 1968
2014 – Himachal Pradesh High court banned animal slaughter for worship in temples
2019 – Tripura High court banned animal sacrifice at Tripureswari temple.

Petitioners challenging the Kerala law said it was unconstitutional as it singled out the Hindu community while giving permission to other religious groups to sacrifice animals and birds in connection with their religious customs.
July 2020 – The SC has tagged the petition from Kerala with pending appeals against judgments of the High Courts of Himachal Pradesh and Tripura banning animal sacrifice in temples.