The Tripura High Court has, in an important judgment delivered on Friday, banned animal/birds sacrifice in the temples of the state observing that the animals also have fundamental right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution of India. The ruling says that no person including the State shall be allowed to sacrifice of any animal/bird within the precincts of any one of the temples within the State of Tripura.
The noteworthy ruling that would certainly influence other judgments on related cases was pronounced by a bench comprising of the Chief Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice Arindam Lodh. It said that the sacrifice of an animal in a temple, not being an essential part of religion, is also violative of Article 21 of the Constitution of India. However, Indians have questioned the same accusing the court for their double standards in approaching Hinduism and other religions.
In a significant response to the issue, noted journalist Anand Ranganathan slammed the Court for their double standards. Quoting Indu Malhotra on Shabaraimala issue that the notions of rationality cannot be invoke in matters of religion Mr. Ranganathan pointed out that Articles 21 and 25 cannot co-exist.
“There can be no liberty unless we abjure religion. There are thousands of religions rituals that violate Article 21. The judges must be militant atheists if they were honest and objective,” he said. Pointing out to the ritualistic killing known as Halal where millions of animals are being killed every day, he accused court for playing double standards while considering the issues related to Hinduism and other religions. Earlier, though women’s entry to Shabarimala temple was made possible by the Supreme Court, the court rejected a plea seeking similar ruling for women in Islam where women are not allowed in mosques.
Tripura issue is just the tip of the iceberg, says experts pointing out to a possible hard battle between judiciary and religious faith.
The hon'ble courts cannot ban a Hindu religious ritual while allowing religious rituals of other faiths to be performed freely.
The time has come for the courts to choose: Spine or Spinelessness. My view on @TimesNow, on #MandirRitualBanned. Do watch: pic.twitter.com/PxfuTfQkNz
— Anand Ranganathan (@ARanganathan72) September 30, 2019
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