High Court slams cops’ ‘weekly approach’ to unhealthy religious acts

Cochin:

The claim that animal sacrifice is an essential and integral part of a person’s religious belief and cannot be changed even if it causes harm to others must be rejected, the Kerala High Court has said.

Hearing a written petition against the authorities’ inaction to stop the illegal killing of birds and animals under the guise of ritual sacrifice at a private residence in Kochi, Judge V Arun said such unsound, unscientific practices and deleterious things should be avoided, even if done in the name of religion.

The court, in an order issued on May 24, ordered the Ernakulam District Panchayat, Divisional Revenue Officer, Ernakulam Rural SP and other officials to halt activities in a structure resembling a temple, built by a private individual on the second floor of his residential building, after conducting a survey, at Edathala Grama panchayat near Aluva in Kohi.

“Based on precedent and on a good understanding of the rights under section 25 and the freedom guaranteed under section 21, the assertion that, animal sacrifice being an essential and integrality of the 8th Defendant’s religious belief and practice, cannot be interfered with even if causing harm to others, must be dismissed,” the court said.

As none other than Dr BR Ambedkar has argued, true religious practice should be guided by reason, equality and humanistic values, rather than blind adherence to tradition, the court added.

“All unsound, unscientific and deleterious practices should be avoided, even if done in the name of religion,” the order said.

The court observed that it was disconcerting to see “the soft and nervous approach of the police and tax authorities” when illegalities committed under the guise of religion are brought to their notice.

“Authorities should be aware that the laws of this country are equally applicable to all citizens and that no special treatment can be given to anyone on religious grounds,” the court observed.

The petition in brief states that wrongful activities are being carried out in a structure, resembling a temple, built by Anand P on the second floor of his residential building and exhibited a sign bearing the name of ‘Sree Bhramarambika Vishnumayaswami Devasthanam’ and solicits followers through reviews. and other modes of advertising.

The petition also stated that Anand held poojas and rituals in his building day after day, accompanied by the tinkling of bells, the blowing of the conch, and the cries and cries of animals and birds.

“The blood of the slaughtered animals is spilled on the road and the carcasses are strewn everywhere. Also, the vehicles of people visiting the place to perform pujas and rituals are parked indiscriminately. All these factors have made my life impossible. (petitioner) and other people in the area,” the petitioner said.

He also said that the construction was illegal and was carried out without obtaining the permission required by the building regulations of Kerala Panchayat.

(Except for the title, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)