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 deliberated on a unique plea filed by the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) regarding the naming and housing of a lioness named ‘SITA’ alongside a lion named ‘Akbar’ at Siliguri Safari Park. The petition raised concerns about religious sentiments of Hindus worldwide. The court postponed the hearing to consider the maintainability of the writ, leaving the issue unresolved for now.