The meeting was held in the presence of the Panchayat Development Officer (PDO), during which officials clearly explained the statutory prohibition on animal sacrifice.
PETA intervention stops buffalo sacrifice at Vijayanagara temple
Vijayanagara
A planned buffalo sacrifice at the Udisalamma Devi Temple in Chirasthalli village of Vijayanagara district was cancelled following swift intervention by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India, prompting local police to step in and warn temple authorities of legal consequences.
The sacrifice was scheduled to take place on January 6 and 7 as part of temple rituals. Acting on information received, PETA India filed a complaint with the Vijayanagara police, citing violations of the Karnataka Prevention of Animal Sacrifices Act, 1959. In response, the police issued a formal notice to the temple authorities and convened a meeting ahead of the festival to ensure compliance with the law.
The meeting was held in the presence of the Panchayat Development Officer (PDO), during which officials clearly explained the statutory prohibition on animal sacrifice in places of public religious worship. Police also warned that an FIR would be registered if any violation occurred.
PETA India Senior Cruelty Response Coordinator Sinchana Subramanyan praised the police action, particularly acknowledging the role of Halawagalu Police Station Sub-Inspector Kiran Kumar A. “Just as human sacrifice is now universally condemned as murder, the outdated practice of animal sacrifice must also be abolished,” she said.
In its complaint, PETA India highlighted multiple legal provisions, including Sections 3, 4, 5, and 6 of the Karnataka Prevention of Animal Sacrifices Act, which prohibit animal sacrifice, participation in such acts, and the use of temple premises for the practice, making violations punishable offences.
The organisation also pointed to provisions under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, stating that killing animals in furtherance of common intention and mischievous killing of animals can attract imprisonment of up to five years, a fine, or both.
Several states, including Gujarat, Kerala, Puducherry, and Rajasthan, have blanket bans on religious animal sacrifice in temples, while Karnataka and neighbouring states prohibit it in all places of public religious worship and related congregations.