Numerous Members of Parliament Back PETA India Push to Protect Animals From Cruel Sacrifice
Numerous members of Parliament (MPs) have backed PETA India’s appeal to Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Shri Parshottam Rupala calling for the deletion of Section 28 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, which states, “Nothing contained in this Act shall render it an offence to kill any animal in a manner required by the religion of any community,” thereby denying animals slated for sacrifice the basic legislative protections offered to other animals used for food.
So far, the supporting MPs include Shri Dharambir Singh, MP for Bhiwani-Mahendragarh, Haryana; Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar, MP for Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh; Shri Guharam Ajgalley, MP for Janjgir-Champa, Chhattisgarh; Shri Sunil Kumar Soni, MP for Raipur, Chhattisgarh; Shri Vijay Baghel, MP for Durg, Chhattisgarh; and Shri Parvesh Sahib Singh, MP for West Delhi, NCT of Delhi, as well as Shri KJ Alphons, until recently a member of the Rajya Sabha.
Across the country, animal sacrifice involves a variety of species, including sheep, goats, buffaloes, chickens, and owls. The cruel practices include beheading, twisting animals’ necks, attacking them with sharp instruments, crushing or even biting them to death, and slitting their throats while they’re fully conscious.
Under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Slaughter House) Rules, 2001, and the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulation, 2011, the slaughter of animals for food is permissible only in a licensed slaughterhouse. Stunning facilities are required under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Slaughter House) Rules, 2001, to reduce pain and suffering, although this regulation is not commonly enforced. Animals used for sacrifice are denied even these most basic legislative protections, although they are commonly used for food. The meat from sacrificed animals is also not subject to any official health and safety checks before consumption.
