“Can we imagine Durga without a lion?”: Calcutta High Court today considered a petition filed by the VHP (Vishva Hindu Parishad) regarding the naming of a lioness at Siliguri’s Safari Park as ‘SITA.’
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!
WEST BENGAL: The Calcutta High Court deliberated on a unique plea filed by the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP). The contention at the heart of this legal battle was the naming of a lioness as ‘SITA’ at the Safari Park in Siliguri, and the co-housing of lioness ‘Sita’ and lion ‘Akbar’ at Siliguri Safari Park. The petition raises concerns about the implications of naming and housing these lions together, which the VHP claimed hurt the religious sentiments of Hindus worldwide.
The plea, by VHP stated,
“Vishwa Hindu Parishad has with deep anguish observed that a species of cat family has been named after the name of ‘SITA’ the consort of Lord Rama and she is sacred deity to all Hindus across the world. Such act amounts to blasphemy and is a direct assault on the religious belief of all Hindus.”
The petition challenges the decision of the forest department regarding the housing of a lion named ‘Akbar’ alongside a lioness named ‘Sita’ within the same enclosure at Siliguri’s Safari Park. The incident comes in light of recent events where the pair was relocated from the Sepahijala Zoological Park in Tripura to Siliguri’s Safari Park on February 13th.
The case was presided over by Justice Saugata Bhattacharya, who was presented with the argument that the act of naming an animal after a deity could lead to disrespectful comparisons, with the petitioners fearing that it might set a precedent for animals to be named in a manner that could be seen as derogatory to religious figures. The petitioners were particularly concerned that this could lead to instances where, for example, “a donkey after a religious deity” could be named, which they believed would amount to slander.
During the proceedings, the bench made a noteworthy observation that highlighted the cultural reverence for lions in Hinduism, especially during the festival of Durga Puja. The court remarked,
“It may be named out of affection, we worship lions during Durga Puja. It depends on the mental orientation of the person. Can we imagine Durga without a lion?”
This statement underscores the integral role of the lion in Hindu mythology, particularly as the vahana (vehicle) of Goddess Durga, symbolizing her power and courage.
The petitioner’s counsel argued that the presence of a lion at the feet of Goddess Durga was symbolic of the deity’s power to combat evil, emphasizing that the lion in religious depictions was not named, suggesting that naming such a sacred symbol could be inappropriate.
“Difficulty is we worship ‘SITA’, let her be in temple not jungle.”
-VHP counsel.
“Image of Maa Durga has many manifestation, In lot of them there are no lions.”
-VHP counsel added.
The court noted that the plea filed by the VHP bore the characteristics of a public interest litigation (PIL) and thus required conversion into a PIL to be adjudicated by a bench designated for such matters. The advocate representing the petitioners highlighted that the issue infringed upon the rights of individuals belonging to a particular religion, invoking Article 226 of the Indian Constitution, which pertains to the power of High Courts to issue certain writs.
Further complicating the matter was the confusion surrounding the naming of the lioness, which was reportedly part of a pair acquired from the Tripura Zoo. The petitioners contended that the zoo authorities in Tripura had not named the lions, and a media report suggested that the State Zoological department had named the male lion Akbar and the female lioness Sita. However, there was ambiguity over the state’s responsibility in this naming, leading to a request for clarification from the state counsel.
The court has directed the state counsel to seek instructions on whether the lions were officially named and has postponed the hearing to tomorrow to hear the maintainability of this writ from VHP under article 226, leaving the issue unresolved for the time being.
This case, encapsulates the complex interplay between religious beliefs, cultural practices, and legal considerations in India. It raises important questions about the boundaries of religious sentiment, the significance of names in cultural and religious contexts, and the legal frameworks that navigate these sensitive issues. As the court awaits further information, the outcome of this case will be keenly observed for its implications on religious sentiments and the naming conventions of animals in public spaces.
CASE TITLE:
VISWA HINDU PARISAD AND ORS. v STATE OF WEST BENGAL AND ORS (Case No: WPA 360/2024)
FOLLOW US ON YOUTUBE FOR MORE LEGAL UPDATES
