Bolangir, Orissa: Jallikattu is not the only controversial festival involving animals.
In Orissa's Bolangir district, tribals continue to make animal sacrifices in the name of tradition, despite a ban on such festivals.
For the tribals, this is an expression of faith and thanksgiving. But the ritual mass animal sacrifice at the Sulia Jatra festival in Orissa's Bolangir district is also against the law.
Section 144 of the IPC was promulgated at the sacrificial spot, but police could do little but watch on as the animals were killed
“We are helpless in this regard. We can only maintain law and order but how can we stop this forcibly?” asked Bolangir SP, Himanshu Lal.
The authorities had banned Sulia Jatra and weeks before the festival, district officials also launched an awareness campaign among panchayat representatives. Even school children were roped in. Yet the tribals continue to cling to tradition.
“This is our tradition for centuries. We cannot stop this, come what may,” says a devotee, Sanatan Deheria.
The district administration is threatening action against the guilty tribals, but it clearly is not ringing any alarm bells among these villagers.
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