In a move that will spare the lives of millions of animals, Nepal’s Gadhimai festival — the world’s biggest animal sacrifice event held every five years for the last 300 years — has been cancelled indefinitely. The decision announced by the temple trust follows rigorous negotiations and campaigning by Animal Welfare Network, Nepal, and Humane Society International, India.
In a statement, Gadhimai Temple Trust chairman Ram Chandra Shah said: “For generations, pilgrims have sacrificed animals to Gadhimai, in the hope of a better life. For every life taken, our heart is heavy. The time has come to change an old tradition. The time has come to replace killing and violence with peaceful worship and celebration.”
Shah went on to add that his concern has been to convince the people that there is another way to seek the favour of the deity. “Thankfully, dedicated efforts of Animal Welfare Network, Nepal, and Humane Society International, India, have shown us the path and provided the motivation to make this transformation a reality,” he said.
"The Gadhimai Temple Trust hereby declares our formal decision to end animal sacrifice. With your help, we can ensure Gadhimai 2019 is free from bloodshed. Moreover, we can ensure Gadhimai 2019 is a momentous celebration of life," the statement said.
It is estimated that more than 500,000 buffalos, goats, chickens and other animals were decapitated at Gadhimai in 2009, but in 2014 the numbers had reduced by 70 per cent.
Incidentally, BD Sharma, Director-General of Sashastra Seema Bal was awarded with the 'leadership in Animal Welfare' award for his exemplary contribution in curbing the illegal transport of animals during Gadhimai
Gauri Maulekh of Humane Society International, India, who petitioned India's Supreme Court (SC) against the movement of animals from India to the Gadhimai festival, said, "This is a tremendous victory for compassion that will save the lives of countless animals. Humane Society International was heartbroken to witness the bloodshed at Gadhimai, and we've worked hard to help secure this ban on future sacrifice. We commend the temple committee but acknowledge that a huge task lies ahead of us in educating the public so that they are fully aware. Humane Society International, India will now spend the next three-and-a-half years till the next Gadhimai educating devotees in the States of Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal on the temple committee's decision not to sacrifice animals. Animal sacrifice is a highly regressive practice and no nation in the modern world should entertain it."
Manoj Gautam, founding member of Animal Welfare Network, Nepal and campaigner against the Gadhimai festival, said, "We applaud the temple committee's decision to end this mass slaughter of innocent animals and hope that they will continue to support us in our future endeavors for protecting animals in the country. Animal Welfare Network, Nepal's progressive move to work directly with the temple committee, with Humane Society International, India's support has been the key that changed the whole face of the campaign and is the reason for the achievement we have now."
In 2014, their joint global campaign against the Gadhimai animal massacre captured the public's imagination when thousands of national and international supporters expressed their ire and displeasure against the ruthless killing. Protests were held worldwide.
The SC of India's intervention to prohibit the movement of animals from India to Nepal saw a reduction of up to 70 per cent in the number of animals sacrificed from 2009. The SC's order resulted in more than 100 arrests of those breaching the order, and more than 2,500 animals were saved. Earlier this month the SC issued directions to States to set up mechanisms to prevent animals from being taken to Gadhimai in future and create awareness against animal sacrifice.
Earlier this year, following the global outrage stemming from the Gadhimai massacre, the temple committee also decided not to sacrifice any animals during the harvest festival (Sankranti). Instead, the temple officials have been confiscating the animals and caring for them until rescuers can rehome them.