End the Mass Slaughter of Thousands of Animals at Festival

Target: Shyam Prasad Yadav, Mayor of Gadhimai

Goal: End the mass sacrifice of animals during festival where over 4,200 buffaloes, thousands of goats, and countless pigeons are killed.

Animal rights activists and organizations have voiced urgent concerns and criticism over the Gadhimai festival in Nepal, where thousands of animals are sacrificed every five years in a ritual believed to please the Goddess Gadhimai. According to Humane Society International India (HSI), at least 4,200 buffaloes, as well as thousands of goats and pigeons, were killed during the recent festival. This shocking event has drawn ire from animal advocates, who decry the mass killing as a brutal tradition that is causing massive suffering to sentient beings in the name of culture and religion.

Despite a ruling from Nepal’s supreme court in 2016 that mandated a gradual reduction in such sacrificial practices, advocates claim that not enough substantive action has been taken to eliminate the sacrifice entirely. Mayor Yadav has publicly denied that the government has made insufficient progress, asserting that measures have been taken in conjunction with temple authorities to limit sacrifices. However, for many activists, sights of butchers slaughtering buffaloes in a horrific manner underscore the cruelty embedded in this practice. The ongoing tradition, as characterized by both witnesses and activists, presents significant ethical concerns about the treatment of animals during the festival.

The demand for an immediate end to the mass sacrifice of animals is not only ethical but necessary for the advancement of animal rights in the region. By implementing strict prohibitions against such practices and promoting community education about alternatives to animal sacrifice, the government can align itself with the evolving values of compassion and welfare. Therefore, ending the mass slaughter during the Gadhimai festival is an urgent plea that must be heeded.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear Mayor Shyam Prasad Yadav,

The recent Gadhimai festival has sparked outrage and calls for action among animal rights advocates and conscious individuals globally due to the horrific mass sacrifice of thousands of animals. In this year’s festival, over 4,200 buffaloes, alongside countless goats and pigeons, were estimated to have been killed as part of a tradition that some describe as an “appalling bloodbath.” Witnesses to this event have spoken about the shocking scale of the slaughter, where butchers are seen conducting these acts in a manner that raises grave ethical questions about humanity’s treatment of animals.

As you stated, there have been attempts to limit the extent of animal sacrifice. However, activists argue that these measures have proven insufficient and many innocent lives continue to be brutally taken in exchange for presumed spiritual benefits. The practice not only causes unimaginable suffering but also tarnishes the image of Nepal as a nation willing to embrace compassion and a more humane approach towards all living beings.

It is vital that the government fully enforces a prohibition against such inhumane practices and takes effective measures to educate the community on humane alternatives. Sacred traditions should not come at the expense of innocent lives; rather, a shift towards compassion is needed. Therefore, we demand an immediate cessation of the mass sacrifice of animals during festivals such as Gadhimai, and urge your leadership to embrace practices that honor life instead.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

Photo credit: Pixabay