Thread by @Bharatiyan108

"Unscientific Rituals to be Prevented": Kerala HC

Here is another judgment from the Kerala High Court that feels like a slap in the face for those following the indigenous faith in Kerala.
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#Kerala twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

In a plea moved against a man to stop ritualistic animal sacrifice in a temple like structure he built at his residence, the court quoted Ambedkar: "True religious practice should be guided by reason, equality, and humanistic values rather than blind adherence to traditions.
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All unhealthy, unscientific, and deleterious practices are to be prevented, even if they are done in the name of religion." I read this again to make sure I was reading it right. The court has quoted Ambedkar on a matter concerning a religious ritual.
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Is Ambedkar an authority on our rituals? And what does science have to do with religious rituals? Would we now be asked not to practice rituals that are “unscientific”?
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The respondent apparently maintained that he follows the Shaktheyam ritualistic method using pancha makaram, i.e., liquor, fish, meat, mudra, and midhunam.
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He also contended that this is an essential part of his religious belief guaranteed under Article 25 and 26. However, these arguments did not find favor with the court.
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I could understand if the court had only considered the disturbance the rituals were causing to others. However, once again, the courts feel that they can pass judgments about the rituals and practices of the majority.
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I know that this judgment wouldn't really matter to most, and I'm sure people would comment that animal sacrifice should not be a part of rituals. We need to understand that the culture of this land has many practices that may or may not be understood by many.
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For example, most people don't understand the life of Naga Sadhus. What they do, is a mystery to most of us! Animal sacrifice is said to be an inherent part of Shaktism tradition predominantly practiced in the South.
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Courts also don't find a problem with millions of animals being sacrificed during Bakrid. Talking about disturbance to others, what about prayers blaring out through loudspeakers five times a day, declaring that a particular god is the only god? Why this double standard?
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