Talks fail; animal sacrifice to go ahead at Sulia Yatra

Balangir: The district administration’s efforts to persuade tribals of the area to stop animal sacrifice during the annual Sulia Yatra today have failed. After the talks with the district administration failed yesterday, the tribals have announced their decision to go ahead with their age-old ritual which they believe would save them from the wrath of the Nature.

No agreement could be reached between the two sides - the pro-sacrifce Milita Sulia Yatra Manch and the anti-sacrifice Sulia Sanskar Manch - at the meeting convened by Balangir Collector M. Muthukumar.

However, a district administration official said efforts will be made to keep animal sacrifice to the minimum.

“Though police will not interfere directly in their religious affairs as per Supreme Court rulings but will make them conscious over animal sacrifice. Children will not be allowed to visit the site. The spot will be cordoned up”, Bolangir SDPO Narayan Nayak said.

Chief priest of Sulia Yatra Biranchi Kunwara on Sunday requested the district administration to take steps so that the animal sacrifice could be stopped during the festival. Following this, The Milita Sulia Yatra Committee met the Balangir Collector and demanded that they be allowed to practice animal sacrifice during the festival.

Notably, the Supreme Court had said in its verdict in September last year that no outside intervention can be made into animal sacrifice practice that has been going on as per traditions and religious beliefs of people.