HC notice to Rajasthan on goat sacrifice in Jodhpur

A division bench of the Rajasthan high court has issued notices to the state government along with the district and civic administration of Jodhpur seeking their response as to why goat sacrifice on the day of Bakrid is not banned.

Allowing a PIL seeking a ban of the sacrifice of goats, a division bench headed by justice Sangeet Lodha issued the notices to the state government, district magistrate and the municipal corporation of Jodhpur seeking their reply in four weeks.

Petitioner Purushottam Agarwal has linked goat sacrifice with the environment. "A large number of goats are sacrificed on Bakrid and the disposal of the remains and blood causes a huge blow to the environment," argued the petitioner's counsel Moti Singh Rajpurohit.

"An Uttarakhand court has already ruled that the sacrifice of animals affects the environment badly", said Rajpurohit, adding that such sacrifice can not be a part of any religion.

He said markets selling goats ahead of Bakrid in the city are unauthorized and illegal.

"There are several court directions already that no cattle can be sold and purchased for the purpose of sacrifice and that nor could they be transported without a medical certificate", said Rajpurohit.

He said in Rajasthan, only 9 places have been designated and authorized for cattle fairs. "Except these 9 places, there can not be a cattle gathering for the purpose of their sale anywhere", he argued.

--IANS

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