Calcutta High Court Directs State To Ensure Puja Committee Discourages Mass Sacrifice Of Animals At Bolla Kali Temple

The Calcutta High Court directed the West Bengal government to ensure that the puja committee at the Bolla Kali temple does not encourage the mass sacrifice of animals on the occasion of Bolla Kali puja, which was celebrated on 22nd November.

A division bench of Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharya was hearing a plea by the Reforms Social Welfare Foundation seeking to ban the instances of animal sacrifice at the temple.

Earlier, a coordinate bench of the High Court had noted that since religious practices in East India differ from those in North India, it would not be realistic to call for a restriction of practices which may have formed an "essential religious practice" for many communities.

In the present plea, the division bench stated that since the plea was being heard a day before the celebration of the puja, no outright ban on the slaughter of animals could be ordered, but that the puja committee shall not encourage the mass slaughter of animals and shall desist the devotee public from doing so as well.

In the light of the above, since the festival is to commence on November 22, 2024, we direct the Puja Committee to strictly abide by what they agreed in the meeting dated 6.11.2024 drawn by the Sub Divisional Officer, Balurghat Sadar and also ensure that no mass sacrifice is done and if at all sacrifice is done, it should be done in the licenced premises and no other area. The authority of the State shall also ensure that the Puja Committee does not encourage mass sacrifice and also convince people to desist from such mass sacrifice, the Court held.

The court also noted that the larger question of the validity of animal sacrifice for religious purposes would be considered at a later date.

It was also stated that in case the puja committee violates any of the conditions mentioned in the order, then they would be open to prosecution.

It is claimed by the petitioner-organisation that violations of the court's orders have been seen in both 2023, as well as 2024.

It is stated that the same office-bearers who constituted the puja committee in 2023 have constituted the committee in 2024, and have not complied with many of the court's directions.

Case: Reforms Social Welfare Foundation & Anr. Vs. Union of India & Ors.

Case No: WPA(P) 592 of 2023

Click here to read order