Dalit community in Parsa and Bara districts have launched a campaign to boycott the consumption of carcass left behind from the ritual sacrifice at the Gadhimai festival.
Dalit community in Parsa and Bara districts have launched a campaign to boycott the consumption of carcass left behind from the ritual sacrifice at the Gadhimai festival.
A gathering of Dalit leaders held in Lipanimal recently decided to boycott the consumption of the sacrificed animals. As per tradition Chamar (Tarai Dalits) would consume the remains of buffaloes as offerings after the Gadhimai ritual, but Dalit leaders demand that it should be discarded terming it “derogatory”.
And local leader Mahanth Ram exudes confidence of wiping it off altogether. “Last time we achieved 75 per cent success in discarding this tradition. We will totally eliminate it this time around,” he said. At least a quarter of a million animals, including buffaloes, hens, rats, pigeons, goats are slaughtered over the two-day celebrations observed once every five years. It is believed that the sacrifice will appease the goddess and usher in prosperity. This year’s festival falls on November 28 and 29.
People leave the carcass of the buffaloes assuming that people belonging to the Dalit caste would take it. Animals are allowed to be taken, only 24 hours after the sacrifice which also means that the meat is stale and unhygienic.
“The common thought that the only time Chamars get to consume buffalo meat once every five year fuels discrimination,” Ram continues. “The Chamars are becoming more aware of society’s changing perception and we will continue this campaign to Rautahat.”
The government, with suggestions from animal welfare groups, has prepared an action plan to regulate the sacrifice and also enable a post-sacrifice system to contain diseases from spreading.
As much as 70 percent of the sacrificial animals come from India.
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