The Supreme Court on Thursday sought a response from the Kerala government on an appeal against the Kerala High Court order upholding the Constitutional validity of Kerala Animals and Bird Sacrifices Prohibition Act of 1968.
A bench including Chief Justice S. A. Bobde issued a notice to state government in this regard.
The petitioners, natives of Kozhikode engaged in practicing ‘Shakthi Puja’, said that the Act only restricts practices in Hindu religion and worship places and was not applicable to other religions.
There is no ban on killing animals in Kerala. Even in worship centres, animals and birds can be killed for own needs. But the law bans sacrifice of animals and birds. This arbitrary classification is violative of Article 25 and 26 of the Constitution, regarding freedom of religion, the plea further said.
On June 16, the Kerala High Court had dismissed the PIL challenging the validity of the Kerala Animals and Bird Sacrifices Prohibition Act on the ground that no material was brought on record to establish that the practice was essential to the religion.
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