After the Nepal government, through yesterday’s annual budget speech, declared that the government would no longer allocate money for animal sacrifices during the grand Hindu festival, cultural sources affiliated to the government have revealed that the state will not perform the animal sacrifice rites on the occasion of Dashain.
However, the ritual worships will continue as in previous years. A circular issued by the culture ministry says,"The concerned departments are not allowed to spend state funds on animal sacrifice, but they can carry on with cultural traditions in an economical way."
This policy of the Maoist-led government is different from the one adopted by the previous governments. In the past, the state used to sacrifice hundreds of animals in the name of pleasing the Goddess ‘Durga’.
The Hindus in Nepal believe that animal sacrifices during their Dashain festival bring them Goddess Durga’s sympathy and support for their better life. Because of this belief, they sacrifice animals, pigs and chickens at home during the festival.
One has to wait and see how much impact the government’s decision can have at people’s levels.