AGARTALA, Nov 7 (TIWN): Unfazed by the hue and cry against animal sacrifice in the name of worship, the historic temple at Udaipur Tripureshwari still performs 'bali’ (sacrifice) on the occasion of Diwali. The age-old Kali Mandir at Udaipur still continues its age-old tradition of performing animal sacrifice to appease goddess Kali. Thousands of devotees come to witness animal sacrifice on Diwali. According to the legend, it is customary to perform ‘bali’ on the occasion of Diwali at Udaipur Tripureshwari temple.In keeping with the custom, on Diwali, after the puja, the animal is sacrificed. This year, 3 buffaloes along with goats are being sacrificed at the premises of the Udaipur Tripureshwari temple as kali puja on the occasion of Diwali is incomplete without animal sacrifice.Inhumane traditions of “Sacrificing Animals”, which has blooded Tripura’s soil during the Diwali festival.However, now-a-days strong stands against this 'bali' system has been arriving as 80% section of educated minds voiced against the animal-sacrifice in temples.

Animal sacrifice is part of various ‘puja’ ritual offerings performed when Hindus worship idols. Animals are killed to get once wish fulfilled, to sanctify weddings, new homes or religious festivals. Animal sacrifice is the ritual killing of an animal as part of a religion. It is practised by many religions as a means of appeasing a god or gods or changing the course of nature. Animal sacrifice has turned up in almost all cultures.

The Supreme Court on Sept 2015 refused to interfere with religious practices and said the judiciary could not stop centuries-old traditions of sacrificing animals by different communities. 

A PIL cited provisions of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act to point out that the law provides for minimal pain and trauma to animals killed for food. Although in Sep 2014, A court in remote northern India had banned a long tradition of sacrificing animals for religious reasons, deeming the practice cruel and "barbaric", but in a state like Tripura such a step is yet been to be taken. Also in High Court of Himachal Pradesh had asked police and other officials to enforce its ban on the slaughter of mainly goats in Hindu temples throughout the state. The court on that day also questioned the reasons for animal sacrifices, saying such rituals "must change in the modern era". 

Recently a case has been filed in High Court against the 'bali' custom held in Mata Tripura Sundari temple. 

However, the age tradition of animal sacrifice can be stopped only if the people take an initiative to take a drive against the sacrifice of animal in the name of soothing the god.