 |
|
| Kathmandu, Saturday February 01, 2003 Magh 18, 2059. |
|
In the name of God
When driving to work a few weeks ago, I got
stuck in a traffic jam. Wondering why the road was blocked, I went over to look at a group
of people who had gathered on the roadside. I noticed the body of a goat, recently
slaughtered, which was being divided into portions, including intestines, head and legs.
Realising the goat was killed to ‘celebrate’ Maghe Sankranti, I felt very sad
for the poor animal. How it must have suffered miserably!
Why do we celebrate festivals in such a way? Do
people not know that the Magh Sankranti is traditionally celebrated with sweet potatoes,
wild yams, ghee and chaku? Do we actually know why we celebrate this festival?
In every festival celebrated in Nepal, why do we
have to give bali (animal sacrifice)? Is God really happy with blood offerings, or are we
just following the blind faith of our forefathers? Have we become so materialistic that we
think we cannot enjoy ourselves without meat?
When I opened The Kathmandu Post later that day,
I noticed a photo of a man on a motorbike stuffed with chickens, hanging upside down. Some
of them touched the hot parts of the bike, probably burning their skin while desperately
struggling to keep alive. How can any human being, born with the ability to understand the
suffering of other creatures, do such a thing? Come to think about it, we are no better
than vultures that circle the sky searching for dead carcasses.
We often hear people saying: God is love, love
is God. If they really believe this, then why are so many innocent animals cruelly
transported and slaughtered in the name of God, who created all creatures out of love?
Maria Thebe
Tikhedewal, Lalitpur |
