Animal Cruelty

Death and the goddess: The world's biggest ritual slaughter By Manesh Shrestha

Officials estimate that that up to 10,00 buffalo calves and 150,000 goats will be offered to Gadhimai, the goddess of power, during the annual superficial ritual in Nepal. The thousands of people killing animals athe temple of Gadhimai for this ritual is the biggest religious mass slaughter in the world. The projected numbers this year are lower than those in 2009, due to the efforts by animal rights activists. In that year there were 20,000 buffalo calves killed and 200,000 goats were slaughtered. The participants are licensed by the Gadhimai Festival Management, even though many activists have gone to the courts in Nepal to halt the sacrifices. Due to the large amount of animal sacrifice during the ritual, many of the animals used are "illegally" transported to Nepal for the ritual. Activists have tried to halt the illegal transportation of animals as well as change the attitudes of participants and end the animal cruelty.

If the activists are successful in changing the attitudes of those who participate in the sacrifice there will be a surplus of animals to Nepal's economy due to the lack of ritual sacrifice. If the activists are successful in banning ritual sacrifice in this area without the support of the locals, there could be backlash and riots among the festival goers. I think that it is wrong that they are killing thousands of animals, and I agree with the activists in that they are trying to change the mindset of those participating and discouraging animal cruelty. Also, it doesn't make sense for people to ship in animals just so they  can kill them for the ritual.