Kerala Animals and Birds Sacrifices Prohibition Act, 1968

No: 20 Dated: Sep, 17 1968

THE KERALA ANIMALS AND BIRDS SACRIFICES PROHIBITION ACT, 1968

Act 20 of 1968

    An Act to consolidate and amend the laws relating to prohibition of the sacrifice of animals and birds in or in the precmcls of Hmdu temples in the State of Kerala

    Preamble.- WHEREAS it is expedient to consolidate and amend the laws relating to prohibition of the sacrifice of animals and birds in or in the precincts of Hindu temples in the State of Kerala ;

Bi it enacted in the Nineteenth Year of the Republic of India as follows:-

1. Short title and extctit.-(1) This Act may be called the Kerala Animals and Birds Sacrifices Prohibition Act, 1968.

(2) It extends to the whole of the State of Kerala.

2. Definitions.- In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,-

( a) "precincts" in relation to a temple, includes all lands and buildings near a temple, whether belonging to the temple or not, which are ordinarily used for purposes connected with the worship conducted inside the temple or outsede, and in particular the mandapams, prakarams, back-yards front-yards and foot-yards of the temple, by whatever name called, and also the ground on which the temple car ordinarily stands;

(b) "sacrifice" means the killing or maiming of any animal or bird for the purpose, or with the intention, of propitiating any deity ;

(c) "temple" means a place by whatever designation known, used as a place of public religious worship, and dedicated to, or for the benefit of, or used as of right by, the Hindu community or any section thereof, as a place of public religious worship.

3. Sacrifrce of ammals and birds m temples or its precincts prohibited.- No person shall sacrifice any animal or bird in any temple or its precincts.

4. Officiating at sacrifice, etc. prohtbited.- No person shall-

(a) officiate or offer to officiate at, or

(b) perform or offer to perform, or

(c) serve, assist, or participate, or offer to serve, assist or participate, in any sacrifice in a temple or its precincts.