Activists to move court against Kali puja goat slaughter

Animal welfare activists in West Bengal's North Dinajpur district are planning to move the court against the large-scale animal sacrifice practised during Kali puja in the area.

Members of the North Dinajpur chapter of People for Animals (PFA) plan to register a case in the Calcutta High Court after the end of the festive season, according to a unit member.

Around 700 goats are sacrificed in each of the two major Kali temples in the district -- Baira Kalimata Mandir Committee in Kaliyaganj and Ekarchhala Kalimata Mandir in Islampur.

"We used to appeal to the district officials and temple authorities repeatedly to stop the practice but they never responded. The slaughter violates laws.

"We will move court against the temple authorities after Diwali," Goutam Tantia, secretary of the unit, told IANS Wednesday.

Tantia said that this year, instead of requesting the authorities, the welfare activists reached out to the residents by distributing around 3,000 to 4,000 leaflets for spreading awareness on the issue.

Kali puja coincides with Diwali and will be celebrated Oct 23.