Unsure of compliance of apex court order: Activists
: Kullu MLA Maheshwar Singh is gearing up for a grand Dussehra celebration on Sunday, after the Supreme Court’s interim relief on animal sacrifice. However, animal rights activists have shown apprehensions about violation of the SC order and the law.
Animal rights activists have written to Kullu district administration regarding preparations for animal sacrifice in the Kullu Dussehra.
The apex court had given a go-ahead for animal sacrifice but in accordance with the law. Activist Sonali Purewal, in a letter to Kullu DC Yunus, said permission to set up a place in accordance with the law has to be sought from the municipal commissioner and consultation should have been made with animal right activist Gauri Mulekhi.
“There is a list of compliances to be followed for slaughter in accordance with the law including Prevention of Cruelty to Animal Act, Animal slaughter house rules, food and safety rules for public hygiene and environmental and pollution laws,” she said.
Purewal alleged that none of these have been complied with. “Compliance to the SC order could not be done by merely erecting a separate space for animal slaughter,” she said, adding, “I did not get any answer from the authorities.”
Meanwhile, Kullu district administration and the municipality said the court order would be adhered to. “We will not violate court order or law,” said DC Yunus. MLA Maheshwar said, “We fought a battle in the Supreme Court and it has given us some relief. We will follow the order in letter and spirit.”
Purewal said the Supreme Court has asked to go ahead with animal sacrifice in accordance with law. “It means that the animal to be slaughtered has to be desensitised using a licensed stun gun to inflict least pain. This has to be done in the presence of a licensed person with permission and training on how to use the gun in accordance with the law,” she said, adding, “There are many other rules to be followed.”
The SC, in April this year, in its interim order, observed, “If any slaughter of animals is done for the purposes involved in these petitions, it shall be done in an area which is set up in accordance with law. The municipal authority shall ensure such compliance. The Animal Welfare Board of India and Gauri Maulekhi may be heard on the setting up of such area.”