Prime Minister NarendraModi

Prime Ministers Office

South Block,
Raisina Hill,
New Delhi,
110 011
17th November, 2014.

Dear Prime Minister NarendraModi.

It is an honour to be writing you this letter and I do so with great urgency, to bring your attention to
the barbaric practice of the GadhimaiMela and the real threat of anthrax; held this month by the
Gadhimai Temple (Mandir), Bariyarpur, in the Bara District, Narayani Zone of south-eastern Nepal.
As you are aware, it holds one of the largest animal sacrifices in the world and is called a Hindu
Festival. Not only does this defame Hinduism worldwide, it also encourages Indian nationals to break
the law on both the ban on live export to Nepal, before this event, and also to take part in extremely
cruel sacrifices. It also opens a real risk of anthrax.
Over 500,000 animals are to be diabolically sacrificed the majority in just two days over the 28th and
29th November; where 250 men will coral thousands of young buffalo on the sacrificial field next to
the mandir, and brutally hack the animals to death. Not only is this site an illegal slaughter house,
with no real legislation to up hold human and animal welfare and sanitary conditions, it is a breeding
ground for disease. Many of these animals have been illegally trafficked in poor conditions, with no
health checks.
Anthrax is deadly for tourists, nationals and pilgrims, it also spreads fast. Millions will be attending
the Gadhimai Festival in November, to possibly catch it. Through airborne spores, the ground and
water and food, etc. Is it worth the risk?
Nepal is the hot zone in all S. Asia for anthrax anyway, and a few interesting studies have come to
light which have shown it is of national concern. This means both the governments of India and
Nepal have a duty to both the Nepal nationals, pilgrims returning to India and tourists to shut the
sacrifice down! Placing all animals immediately in quarantine.Anthrax could spread if activated, by
millions. To stop a religious riot both Nepal and Indian government must state offer veg and fruit as
per Vedic instruction.
This has captured the worlds attention in horror, many wrongly assuming that it is a Hindu festival,
damaging belief.
India has led the way in curtailing live export; however it needs a strong word of condemnation from
its leader, which is you Honourable Prime Minister.
Swami Agnivesh visited Nepal last week, and met with the government and organizations, to give an
outstanding voice of condemnation, calling animal sacrifice: a heinous and diabolical sin according
to the tenets of the Vedic Sanatan dharma, and killing of any kind a sin. Calling on the political and

religious leaders to make a stand and put an immediate stop at "these devilish practices," which
spring from superstition and religious bigotry, that plaque society. Stating that Hinduism stands on
the foundations of Shanti (peace), Ahimsa (non-violence), and PunarJanam (re-birth). That it is not
aquestion of culture, but basic human and animal rights, and that socio-spiritual activists should join
forces to do away with such barbaric evils like they have in the past, in such cases of human
sacrifices, untouchability and sati.Furthermore, that he would lead a march of interfaith leaders,
especially those from Sanatan dharma against the medieval barbarism, and appealed to the society
of Nepal to shift away from superstition and blind faithism, and instead promote arational and
scientific temper.
So far Swami Agnivesh has been the only significant figure to stand up publically and defend
Hinduism, and the fact that the Festival misrepresents the true Vedic tenets of the Sanatan dharma,
replacing its true identity with a superstitious ritual of mass cruelty, extreme barbarity, and sacrifice,
which destroys all understanding. He is also defending the lives of all those innocent animals, and
the human rights of the vulnerablewho are drawn into this, through poverty, fear and ignorance.
Animal welfare groups across the world have also led protests, and significant action has been taken
by organizations in India, with activists stopping illegal cattle crossing the border, and by
organizations in Nepal. There is also significant action taking place on social networking.
The Gadhimalamela is also run by the animal skin, bone and meat coalition of businessmen and
money-lenders which fund the priests and temple for their blessings.
This is not an authentic Hindu Festival, but came from a dream by BhagwanChaudhary, imprisoned
in Makwanpur fort prison about 260 years ago. He dreamed that all his problems would be solved if
he made a blood sacrifice to Gadhimai( Nepal's name for Durga). Immediately upon his release from
prison he took counsel from the local village healer who started the ritual with drops of his own
blood from five parts of his body. Apparently then a light "appeared" in an earthenware jar... and
the gory sacrifice began!
It is shocking that a group of Nepali priests decided that the best way to worship Gadhimai is by
slaughtering up to 500,000 animals in two days. 250 are appointed to cut through the animals, many
in alcohol induced frenzy. Rather than release the hackers and spectators from sin, anger and
stupidity, it inflames them to extreme acts of cruelty and calloused savagery against defenceless
animals. The people who worship it and take part believe the Goddess needs blood so that the
person can make his wishes come true.
They are taking the Hindu story of Durga as Mahishasuramardini killing the demon Mahishasura in
his form as a bull, totally out of context. She was generated out of the anger and powers of the gods,
in the Devi as Mahishasuramardini in her most terrifying form to defeat demonic desires and
influences. Durga does not require the blood sacrifice of innocents.
The Nepalese government, GadhimaiMela, priests, organizations and businesses, should also be
issued a writ from the Heads of the Hindu Council for defamation (libel & slander), for falsely
promoting the festival as Hindu and bringing an ancient dharma into ill-repute, worldwide.
Please Prime Minister Modi, make a stand and end it. For the animals, the welfare of the population,
and the true tenets of the Sanatana dharma. And the faith in you everyone has to do the right thing.

The international press will be at the GadhimaiMela, promoting this event internationally, please do
not let this be another 2009, your firm stand is needed.

Written in haste, my apologies.

Yours Sincerely
Jane Poretsis
Duly endorsed by the United Nation affiliated OIPA www.oipa.org chapter in India along with the
Animal Welfare Party.

Naresh Kadian,
Convener, Animal Welfare Party,
Country Head, United Nation affiliated OIPA www.oipa.org chapter in India,
Master Trainer, AWBI / Volunteer of WCCB,
Chairman, People for Animals (PFA) Haryana.
+91-9813010595, 9313312099.
Kadyan.ipfa@gmail.com
india@oipa.org