New Delhi, 12 March (H.S.): The Supreme Court issued notice to the Central government on a petition seeking a nationwide ban on animal sacrifices in temples under the guise of religious practices.A bench led by Justice Vikram Nath listed the matter for hearing a month later. Petitioner advocate Shruti Bisht argued that authorities remain silent on the issue, demanding amendments to Section 28 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, which exempts ritual slaughter from criminality.

The plea calls for prohibiting animal killings during religious festivals, noting persistent practices in Bali, Indonesia; India's Himalayan regions, Northeast, Odisha, West Bengal, Maharashtra, and southern states. It urges uniform legislation, robust enforcement, NGO involvement, and public awareness campaigns.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar