Calcutta High Court reacts to VHP’s petition claiming offense hurting Religious sentiments. The High Court Today (22 Feb) has urged West Bengal to consider changing the names of the lions from Sita and Akbar. Court also emphasized that while Sita ji is worshipped by a significant portion of the population in India, Akbar was a capable, accomplished, and inclusive Mughal Emperor.
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KOLKATA: The West Bengal government informed the Calcutta High Court Today (22 Feb), that the designation of two lions at the Bengal Safari Park as Sita and Akbar originated from the Tripura Zoo authorities in 2016 and 2018 respectively, predating the recent transfer of the lions to the Bengal Safari Park in Siliguri.
Justice Saugata Bhattacharya, presiding as a single judge, urged the State of West Bengal to consider assigning different names to the two lions to resolve the controversy. The Court highlighted that Sita holds significant reverence among a vast majority of people in the country, while Akbar is recognized as an efficient, successful, and secular Mughal Emperor.
“Mr Counsel, will you yourself name your own pet after some Hindu God or Muslim Prophet…I think, if anyone of us would have been the authority, none of us would have named them as Akbar and Sita. Can anyone of us think of naming an animal after Rabindranath Tagore? Sita is worshipped by a larger section of this country….I also oppose naming the lion after Akbar. He was an efficient, successful and secular Mughal Emperor,”
-the Court said.
“You could have named it Bijli or something like that. But why to give such names of Akbar and Sita,”
-the Court added.
The Court’s remarks came during the hearing of a plea by Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) objecting to the lioness being named Sita. The VHP’s plea contended that naming the lioness Sita offended Hindu religious sentiments and impinged upon their freedom of religion. Consequently, the VHP requested action to rename the lioness to a non-religious name and directed Bengal Safari Park to promptly undertake the renaming process.
This inquiry followed Additional Advocate General (AAG) Debjyoti Choudhary’s statement to the Court that the State had not provided any names to the animals.
During today’s hearing, the Additional Advocate General (AAG) clarified that the names were bestowed by the Tripura Zoo authorities, not by the West Bengal government. He substantiated his argument with relevant documents.
“Milords, it was Tripura, not West Bengal, who assigned these names. These animals were born in 2016 and 2018. For five years, there was no objection to these names. However, once they were transferred to West Bengal, this controversy arose,”
-stated the AAG.
The Court expressed disapproval of naming lions after religious deities or historically revered figures.
“Last night, I pondered whether animals can be named after gods, mythological characters, heroes, freedom fighters, or even Nobel laureates? Can a lion be named after Swami Vivekananda or Ramkrishna Paramhans? Though we’re not directly addressing this issue, it’s worth considering. We’re not discussing the pets of a zoo department officer here. As a welfare and secular state, why should West Bengal invite controversy by naming a lion Sita or Akbar?”
-queried the single judge.
The Court emphasized that the state is already embroiled in numerous controversies and suggested that this particular controversy could have been avoided.
“You should have sidestepped this issue. Our state is already besieged by various controversies, ranging from teacher appointments to others. Everyone is scrutinizing West Bengal. Therefore, steps should be taken to avert such controversies,” “
-remarked the Court.
The Court also inquired about the AAG’s pet dogs and their names.
“One is Toffy, Tuffle, and Theo,”
-responded the AAG.
“Isn’t that a sensible naming strategy? Otherwise, we might read in the newspapers tomorrow that Mr. AAG’s dogs are named after national heroes, etc. Such names would be beyond reproach. As the AAG of this court, please set an example and instruct your authorities to rename them,”
-suggested the single judge.
The AAG assured that he would ensure the lions are given new names but requested the Court to dismiss the petition. Considering that the lions have already been named and the petitioners allege religious sentiments of the Hindu community have been hurt, the Court deemed that the matter should be examined through a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition.
Thus, it directed that the plea be reclassified as a PIL and scheduled for review before the bench designated for PILs.
“As the hearing concludes, please strive to avoid controversy and instruct your officers to rename these animals… Choose a name that doesn’t stir controversy. Avoid naming any animal after Hindu gods, Muslim prophets, Christians, Nobel laureates, or freedom fighters. Generally, names of those revered and respected should be avoided,”
-added the Court.
CASE TITLE:
VISWA HINDU PARISAD AND ORS. v STATE OF WEST BENGAL AND ORS (Case No: WPA 360/2024)
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