The Tripura government suspended its chief conservator of forests IFS Officer Prabin Lal Agarwal, for naming zoo lions Akbar and Sita, offending religious sentiments. The Calcutta High Court responded to a VHP petition and urged West Bengal to consider changing the names of the lions and take action against those responsible. The court emphasized the need to avoid controversy in naming animals.
The Calcutta High Court urged West Bengal to reconsider the names of lions Sita and Akbar at Bengal Safari Park, stating Sita’s reverence and Akbar’s secular accomplishments. The court disapproved of naming animals after religious or revered figures, suggesting a non-controversial renaming. The case has been reclassified as a Public Interest Litigation for further review. (Word count: 50)