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|Originally Posted: 6 December 2009|
How Could They? 250,000 Animals Butchered Alive In Nepal
FROM Kinship Circle
Nepal's government upheld this year's Gadhimai Jatra mass animal sacrifice, despite strong global protest. On Nov. 24-25, some 250,000 animals were mutilated and beheaded in what may be the world's largest religious slaughter. This grotesque butchery must end.
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Rt. Hon'ble Prime Minister Mr. Madhav Kumar
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Mr. Sharat Singh Bhandari, Minister of Tourism and Civil
Permanent Mission of Nepal to the United Nations
Embassy of the Kingdom of Nepal In USA
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Tue, 24 Nov 2009 / Manoj Gautam, Representative of Roots and Shoots Nepal: "Thousands of buffaloes were standing in an enclosure when butchers holding swords started hacking randomly at the animals. Baby buffaloes were bleating and searching for their mothers. They were hunted down by the men. Needless to say, not a single animal survived the blood bath..."
Krishna Singh, Programme Manager Animal Nepal: "I visited Gadhimai before the killing... A baby goat died from a lack of food and water... The baby buffaloes wanted to be petted. They were scared and needed some comfort."
Bibi Funyal, photographer: "I was assigned to film the festival... In the beginning butchers were able to cut the heads of buffaloes in one stroke. Later it took them a long time to severe heads. Buffaloes were mooing -- it was a terrible sound... I had to step over thousands of bodies and heads and wade through animal blood. It was something I will never do again..."
Lucia de Vries, Director Animal Nepal, international campaigner: "I am convinced that these killings are among the worst forms of animal cruelty in the world. I pray that when the images come out the international community will agree that we have to stop this." READ more and see photographs from Serbian Animals' Voice.
SAMPLE LETTER / TALKING POINTS (write your own letter!)...
Honorable Prime Minister and Officials of Nepal:
I am stunned by the magnitude of cruelty in the semi-annual Gadhimai Jatra festival in Bara, Nepal. Fields fill with blood as sword-bearing butchers casually hack apart baby buffalo and their elders. How can Nepal justify the mutilation of hundreds of thousands of goats, buffalo, pigs, chickens, rats and pigeons as "sacrifice" to the Hindu goddess of power, Gadhimai?
The Gadhimai alienates potential tourists, like myself, who object to the senseless brutalization of animals. Furthermore, it desensitizes your own children, teaching them to ignore suffering and celebrate violence.
Please ban all blood festivals. I urge the Nepalese government to enforce stronger animal protection laws that shield animals from all forms of abuse, including grotesque rituals such as the Gadhimai Fair.
The November 24-25, 2009 festival didn't fail to repulse any human with a conscience. One filmmaker noted that the butchers killed in a frenzy, unable to sever heads quickly. "Baby buffalo searched for mothers. One touched my tripod. That was when I felt I'd pass out if I continued filming. When I left, I had to step over bodies and heads and wade through animal blood..."
As you know, the two-day contest involves men armed with knives who vie to slaughter the most animals. Contestants are awarded a fee for each kill. Death does not come quickly. Based on the "panchhbali" (five offerings), competitors slit the throats of five different species. Buffalo take so long to die that men cut them apart, starting with their back legs.
I am shocked that Nepalese officials not only allow this festival, but also pay to confine animals before it begins. Religious leaders themselves have proposed fruits and vegetables in place of animal sacrifice. I respectfully ask you to embrace this nonviolent option and/or do everything within your power to permanently cancel the Gadhimai festival.
Different cultures may not understand each other's customs, but all humans comprehend cruelty. The world recognizes the Gadhimai Jatra as outright animal torture. It's time that Nepal's government does too.
Thank you for everything you do for animals!