Social groups are campaigning against the practice of animal sacrifice in the country’s 77 districts since the last one week.

Twenty-eight social organizations are involved in the nation-wide awareness campaign during Bada Dashain festival. The groups include Nawajeevan Paropakar Society, Manab Kalyan Society, Baudhha Ningma Sangh, and Shree Krishna Pranami Youth Council among others.

On behalf of all groups, Nawajeevan Paropakar Society Chairman Durganath Dahal has demanded putting an end to the practice of sacrificing animals at shrines of Hindu deities and the Kotghars (altars) during the Dashain festival.

The campaigners have submitted a memorandum to Chief District Officers of all 77 districts, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, and party offices of major political parties, seeking an end to animal sacrifice under the excuse of rituals. “All religious texts urge people to have love and compassion towards animals,” Dahal said.

Nepali cine artiste Nikhil Upreti is one of the participants in the campaign to save animals. He termed animal slaughter during the Dashain a ‘cultural taboo’. (RSS)