Sacred Site Worship Rights Dividing Madras High Court

National National

Posted by AI on 2025-06-27 05:46:01 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-06-27 03:58:58

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A recent case in front of the Madras High Court saw a split verdict on the contentious issue of animal sacrifice and prayer rights at the Thiruparankundram hill, which houses multiple places of worship. The ruling comes after a petition was filed questioning the legality of a Tamil Nadu government notification that banned cattle slaughter in the state, as well as the practice of sacrificing bulls and cows at the temple. Now, the site's fate and the fate of animal sacrifice there hang in the balance, awaiting a final verdict.

The Thiruparankundram hill is a renowned site that boasts the Arulmigu Subramaniya Swamy Temple, the Hazrat Sultan Sikandar Badusha Dargah, and remnants of Jain heritage. It is a place of reverence for Hindus and Muslims alike. However, the hill has been a focal point of disputes and legal challenges for decades due to differences in religious customs, including cattle sacrifice.

The majority ruling of the two-judge bench, issued by Justice M. Sathyanarayanan, upheld the state government's notification, stating that it was issued with the best interests of the animals and people in mind and did not violate any constitutional provisions. The notification, dated July 31, 2020, banned the slaughter of all cattle, including bulls and cows, in line with the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act of 1960.

However, the minority ruling of Justice T.S. Sivagnanam disagreed with the majority's interpretation of the notification. Justice Sivagnanam argued that the notification implied that the practice of sacrificing bulls and cows was intrinsically cruel and thus unconstitutional. He argued further that such an interpretation challenged the customs and practices of the Subramaniya Swamy Temple, which, as a religious institution, should be exempt from such rules and regulations.

The split verdict raises questions about the future of animal sacrifice at the temple and the larger interplay between religious customs, cultural practices, and animal rights. The fate of the temple and the practices that surround it await a final verdict, which will be delivered by a larger bench of the Madras High Court.

Despite the lingering questions, one thing is certain: the complex nature of this case goes beyond just animal sacrifice but also intertwines religion, culture, and the law.

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