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No, SC hasn’t lifted ban on animal sacrifice in Kullu Dushera
Kullu: Very recently, Maheshwar Singh, MLA from Kullu and chief caretaker of Lord Raghunath, declared that he had moved the Supreme Court against the blanket ban imposed on animal sacrifice in Himachal by the State High Court in its oders passed on September 26, 2014.
He said the SC, in its interim order passed on April 10, 2017, provided interim relief on animal sacrifice for Kullu Dushera.
English daily Statesman had also suggested same in an article titled “‘Animal sacrifice’ tradition to be back in Himachal Pradesh” published on April 15, 2017. Though the article did mention that it should be done in compliance with law, it did not explain that the case of Kullu Dushera was not an exception.
Similarly, an article published by Tribune on September 5, 2017, was titled “Nod to animal sacrifice at Kullu Dasehra”
The people of Kullu are rejoiced believing that ban was lifted and the animal sacrifice will take place in a traditional manner, as it used to be prior to HC ban.
If one bothers to go in details of the Supreme Court order, then it clearly allows performing the animal sacrifice strictly in compliance with directions of the court and in accordance with slaughter-house rules. Are Maheshwar Singh and the Kullu administration complying with all mandatory directions?
In fact, the Supreme Court has clearly provided for a compendium of various acts and agreed to allow animal slaughter remaining within the law and court guidelines. There is a list of official permissions and procedures defined by the court in order to slaughter an animal for food. These guidelines also apply to animal sacrifice in religious rituals.
Activist Sonali Purewal from Kasuali-based People for Animals (PFA) organization talked to Himachal Watcher regarding the lie that was told to people through media.
For instance, in order to slaughter an animal for any purpose, one needs a licensed stun gun, licensed butcher, permission from Municipal Commissioner Kullu, acknowledgment letter from AWBI, veterinary officer-in-charge of the animal sacrifices etc. The court had also directed to inform animal activist Gauri Mulekhi regarding any such animal sacrifice.
By simply seeking permission for a massive public pandal from the Municipal Council/ Corporation does not suffice. Animal sacrifice has to be done as per law and as per the manners prescribed in the PCA Act and the interim order of the Supreme Court,
Sonali told Himachal Watcher.
She alleged that the district administration or Maheshwar Singh has not fulfilled any of these mandatory conditions laid by the apex court in its order except obtaining a permission letter from the Municipal Commissioner to set up pandal (an enclosed stall).
Advocate Vandana Misra, the counsel for the petitioner Sonali Purewal, who also shares the credit for the ban imposed by the HP HC, also expressed serious concern over disregard to the law. Any violation of the Hon’ble Supreme Court’s order shall be brought to the notice of the court, she said. Vandana is currently fighting the case in the Supreme Court.
The DC Kullu had told the Tribune in the said article
The district administration would maintain a close watch over animal sacrifice and it would take place at a confined place as per the directions of the honorable court.
Only ensuring slaughter in enclosed pandal to shroud the bloodshed from public view is just one of the guidelines.
Sonali said that she wrote a letter to the Deputy Commissioner and Municipal Commissioner of Kullu to confirm the legal status of the animal sacrifice scheduled to take place this Dushera. However, none of them even replied to her letter. It clearly suggests the administration has fulfilled none of the mandatory conditions.
From Interim Oder Passed by SC on April 10, 2017
Take a look at the list of conditions laid by the court in the provided compendium:
• The Section 11(3)(e) of the PCA Act states, “commission or omission of any act in the course of the destruction or the preparation for the destruction of any animal as food for mankind unless such destruction or preparation was accompanied by the infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering.”
• Stunning (rendering animals unconscious before slitting their throat and bleeding them to death) is an important procedure to prevent “unnecessary suffering” when the animals are killed for meat.
• Rule 6 (4) 4 of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Slaughter House) Rules, 2001 states that “Every slaughterhouse shall provide a separate space for stunning of animals prior to slaughter, bleeding and dressing of the carcasses” making stunning mandatory during the slaughter of animals.”
• Food Safety and Regulations Standards (Licensing & Registration of Food Businesses), 2011, Section 4, Part IV, Schedule 4 explains various stunning procedures to be adopted, with the recommendation for different species.
• Registration/ licensing of slaughterhouses:
• The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 under Rule 3 (1), requires recognition or licensing of a slaughterhouse.
• Guidelines of the Food Safety and Regulations Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, Regulation 2.5. 1 specifies species of animals that can be killed for meat.
• Under this Regulation “animal” means an animal belonging to Bovines, Caprines, Suillines, and includes poultry and fish.
• No other animals including camels, rabbits etc. can be slaughtered under this provision of the law.
Sonali said despite PFA’s efforts and correspondence with the DC and MC office asking them to publish public notices to clearly state that animal sacrifice is still banned in Himachal as the court has not lifted it, nothing was done.
No such notice was issued by the district administration or any other authority in any newspaper or through any medium.
Moreover, as per the interim order, it is mandatory to officially inform the Animal Welfare Board of India of any ritual sacrifice to be done “in accordance with the law”.
However, AWBI or animal activist Gauri Mulekhi has not received any such letter at all, said Sonali. Also, no information is provided about the manner in which the sacrifice would take place.
If the animal sacrifice will continue as planned in Kullu during the upcoming festivities this will be in total violation of the Supreme Court order and all the concerned persons participating in it along with the Officials officiating over it will be in Contempt of the Supreme Court, she said.
PFA has warned the district administration and every party involved in the unlawful animal sacrifice of legal action if the directions of the court are not followed. It would be a clear contempt of court orders, she said.
Now take a look at the questions that PFA had asked the DC and MC office Kullu to answer to prove everything would be done in total compliance with the law:
1. Does your office have a licensed stun gun? – Which is mandatory for any animal slaughter to take place, to ensure the least amount of pain and suffering in accordance with the law?
2. Has your office appointed an authorised licensed butcher or person who has been trained to use the stun gun as per rules in the PCA act?
If you do, please attach copies of both the licensed stun gun and the authorised person (adhar card with license, and information on where he was trained)
3. A copy of the permission from Municipal Commissioner Kullu for ritual slaughter given to Shri Maheshwar Singh along with the copy of the same sent to Gauri Mulekhi and AWBI.
4. Acknowledgement from Gauri Maulekhi and AWBI – giving their ok and consent to the Kullu Dussera ritual sacrifices.
5. Name and number of the VO in charge of the animal sacrifices – who is to check the animals and give their ok to the concerned people appointed by the Supreme Court as mentioned above?
6. A list of the number of animals that are to be slaughtered over the Kullu Dussehra.
However, he did not reply or even responded to any of the above questions asked by the PFA.
Over 60 percent of slaughterhouses in Himachal are illegal because they do not fulfill legal requirements or standards. So, it is highly unlikely that a temporary slaughterhouse would be set up for Dushera,
said Sonali.
Now, it is to be seen whether the Kullu administration and Maheshwar Singh would go ahead with the current plan of deliberately committing a contempt of court or fulfill all the court directions.
Shimla—A quiet but worrying crisis is unfolding in Himachal Pradesh. Across several districts, traders, hoteliers, and restaurant owners are reporting a sharp shortage of commercial LPG cylinders, leaving many establishments with barely a few days’ supply. In a state where tourism drives the local economy, disruptions in cooking fuel supply can quickly escalate into a wider economic concern.
Local reports indicate the shortage is already affecting hospitality businesses. Traders in Shimla have warned that commercial gas stocks may last only a couple of days if fresh deliveries do not arrive soon, according to a report by Amar Ujala. Restaurant owners have echoed similar concerns in Solan and nearby tourist towns, where businesses fear that kitchens may soon struggle to operate without regular supplies, as reported by Dainik Jagran.
At first glance, the shortage appears to be a regional supply bottleneck. In reality, the problem is tied to wider disruptions in global energy markets triggered by the ongoing tensions in West Asia.
Tourism economy vulnerable to fuel disruption
Himachal Pradesh’s tourism sector relies heavily on thousands of small and medium establishments—restaurants, cafés, dhabas, and hotels. Unlike large metropolitan areas where piped natural gas networks are expanding, most commercial kitchens in the hill state still depend almost entirely on LPG cylinders.
This dependence makes the sector particularly vulnerable. Even short supply disruptions can force restaurants to reduce operations, limit menus, or temporarily shut down.
Industry bodies across India have already sounded the alarm. Restaurant operators have warned that continued supply disruptions could lead to closures across the sector. For a tourism-driven state like Himachal Pradesh, such disruptions can ripple through the wider economy.
The global trigger: instability in West Asia
The roots of the crisis lie thousands of kilometers away. The conflict involving the United States and Iran has begun affecting energy markets and shipping routes in the Gulf region.
A key concern is the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy corridors through which a large share of global oil and LPG shipments pass. India’s dependence on this route is substantial. Energy analysts estimate that a majority of India’s LPG imports originate from Gulf countries and move through this narrow maritime passage, as noted in a report by The New Indian Express.
Any instability in the region immediately affects supply chains. Shipping risks rise, insurance premiums increase, and cargo movement slows. These pressures eventually filter down to domestic markets.
Recent reports have also linked rising LPG prices and supply concerns to the Middle East crisis, with consumers expressing worry about the impact of the conflict on cooking gas costs, according to ANI News.
Domestic prioritisation, commercial shortage
When supplies tighten, governments typically prioritise household consumption. Domestic LPG cylinders are considered essential for daily cooking, and maintaining their availability becomes a policy priority.
However, this often leaves commercial users facing reduced allocations. Restaurants and hotels depend almost entirely on commercial cylinders, which are distributed through a separate supply channel.
In response to the emerging supply concerns, the government has reportedly taken steps to ensure adequate domestic availability of LPG, including directing refiners to increase production and manage distribution more closely, as reported by The Economic Times.
While such measures protect households, they can intensify shortages for commercial establishments.
Geography amplifies the problem
Himachal Pradesh faces additional logistical challenges. LPG cylinders used in the state are largely transported from bottling plants located outside its borders. Moving these supplies across mountainous terrain involves long supply chains and limited transport routes.
When upstream deliveries slow down—whether at ports, refineries, or bottling plants—the impact reaches hill towns more quickly and more sharply.
At the same time, alternatives remain limited. Large-scale piped gas networks are rare in the state, and many commercial kitchens lack the electrical capacity required for high-energy cooking equipment.
A warning for energy resilience
The emerging LPG shortage in Himachal Pradesh is more than a temporary supply issue. It highlights a deeper vulnerability in India’s energy system—heavy dependence on imported fuel and fragile supply chains exposed to geopolitical shocks.
For a café owner in Shimla or a hotel operator in Manali, the geopolitics of West Asia may seem distant. Yet the current situation demonstrates how closely global energy flows are tied to local economies.
A disruption in the Persian Gulf can slow tanker shipments, delay fuel supplies at Indian ports, disrupt distribution networks—and ultimately affect the availability of cooking gas in a Himalayan kitchen.
As the situation evolves, the hope in Himachal Pradesh is that supply lines stabilise quickly. But the episode offers a clear lesson: in an interconnected world, even the quiet kitchens of the mountains are not insulated from global conflict.
Mandi|July 11, 2025 — In the lap of the Himalayas, nestled among deodar forests and flowing streams, the district of Mandi has long stood as a symbol of Himachal’s tranquil beauty. But in the monsoon of 2025, that tranquillity was shattered — not by nature alone, but by a deadly combination of climate extremes, administrative apathy, and long-ignored warnings.
This year’s monsoon came not as a nurturing rain, but as a devastating deluge. What began in late June as a forecasted spell of heavy rainfall turned into one of the deadliest natural disasters in recent memory for Himachal Pradesh. And no place bore the brunt quite like Mandi.
The Collapse of Safety
Between June 20 and July 10, the state witnessed 91 rain-related deaths, out of which 17 occurred in Mandi district alone, making it the hardest-hit region according to the State Disaster Management Authority. More than 750 homes were completely destroyed, and another 880 partially damaged, while 10 bridges, multiple roads, and entire stretches of power and water infrastructure were washed away. In just 21 days, the estimated damage statewide crossed ₹750 crore.
The primary culprits? Landslides, cloudbursts, and flash floods — many of which occurred in the dead of night, catching villagers off guard.
In Siyathi village, 67 lives were saved not by sirens or warning systems, but by a dog’s bark. A resident, Narendra, told media:
“It was midnight. We were sleeping. Suddenly the dog began barking non-stop. We ran out. Within minutes, the entire hillside collapsed and our homes were buried.”
The dog, unnamed but hailed as a hero, became a symbol of what worked in a place where institutional response did not.
A Night of Heroes in Deji Village
In nearby Deji, two college students — Ronid Pundir and Sahil Thakur — from Thunag Horticulture College became real-life saviours. When a sudden cloudburst triggered a flash flood in the dead of night, the duo ran from house to house, waking families and helping them escape. Their actions helped evacuate over 150 people.
“We didn’t think twice. We just saw the water rising and started pulling people out,” Ronid told the media.
Despite such moments of courage, the tragedy left deep scars. In many parts of Seraj, Karsog, and Sundernagar subdivisions, residents reported that local authorities failed to respond in time. Emergency shelters were ill-equipped. In remote hamlets, stranded families waited hours, sometimes days, for rescue.
A Failure of Planning, Not Just Weather
Himachal’s vulnerability to extreme weather is well known. Yet critics argue that poor land use planning, unregulated construction near rivers, and unsafe road-cutting practices have greatly magnified the disaster’s impact.
Geologists and environmentalists have warned for years that road expansion projects and large-scale deforestation in hill regions have weakened slope stability. In many places, construction has occurred dangerously close to water channels, despite repeated advisories.
This time, the warnings played out in real-time — with mud, stone, and entire homes tumbling into ravines.
Government Response: Promises and Limitations
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu visited the worst-affected villages, including Baga, Syanj, and Panglyur, personally distributing relief materials and speaking with the victims.
“No family should feel alone. The state stands with you,” he said during a relief camp visit.
The state government announced ₹7 lakh in compensation per fully destroyed house, and temporary shelters for displaced families. In contrast, the central government’s compensation — capped at ₹1.3 lakh — has drawn criticism from state ministers and the public alike.
Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi remarked:
“What we’re getting from the Centre is insufficient. Our people are suffering. We need stronger, faster support.”
A Glimpse into the Future
Perhaps the most chilling aspect of this disaster is that it may be only the beginning. Scientists warn that climate change is accelerating the frequency and intensity of such events in the Himalayas. Increased temperatures are destabilizing glaciers. Erratic rainfall patterns are overwhelming natural drainage systems.
Experts now call for a complete reassessment of infrastructure policy in Himachal — including bans on construction near rivers, better slope-stabilization in road projects, and improved early warning systems for landslides and flash floods.
“What’s happening is not natural anymore,” said a climate scientist from IIT Mandi. “It’s a man-made disaster wrapped in nature’s disguise.”
Beyond Numbers: The Lives Left Behind
In the hills of Mandi, statistics cannot capture the grief. Each day, as clouds gather, a quiet anxiety grips the village once more.
Shimla– In times of conflict, journalism must rise to its noblest purpose: truth, accountability, and responsibility. And yet, as India and Pakistan faced off once again across borders—bullets flying, lives lost, families shattered—a section of the Indian media turned tragedy into theatre.
From the moment reports of cross-border attacks surfaced, several primetime news anchors transformed their studios into shrill war rooms. Not to inform, but to inflame. Graphic war music, animated explosions, ticker tapes screaming “BREAKING”—the spectacle began. As soldiers bled on the border, TV screens bled hyperbole.
The most damning criticism did not come from adversaries but from global media observers. The BBC described Indian news channels’ coverage as “jingoistic and unhinged”. Al Jazeera and The Guardian echoed similar sentiments, noting how unverified reports, doctored videos, and belligerent studio debates replaced sober reportage.
Anchors, who had never seen a trench or a frontline, banged desks demanding military action. Unconfirmed reports were aired without attribution. Words like “annihilation,” “revenge,” and “surgical strike 2.0” were thrown around with theatrical bravado. There was no time to pause for facts. There was no room for nuance. There was only TRP.
The absurdity reached its peak when a few channels aired animations of fighter jets with triumphant music. Meanwhile, real families were burying their dead – soldiers and civilians alike.
In this chaos, journalism died a quiet death.
Media as Vultures
The metaphor is tragically apt. These channels, masquerading as patriots, behaved like vultures—circling the battlefield, feeding off the dead for ratings. Their hunger wasn’t for truth, but for viewership. They amplified hatred, dismissed dissent, and turned war into primetime entertainment.
And in doing so, they embarrassed India, not just at home but before the world.
The Cost of Sensationalism
When media loses its spine, democracy loses its mirror. The consequence is not just embarrassment—it’s danger. Misinformation in wartime can escalate conflict, trigger communal unrest, and mislead policymakers. A responsible media can cool tensions. An irresponsible one can fan the flames.
We must ask: Where is the human cost of war—the widows, the orphans, the destroyed homes? Where is the perspective from peace-builders, historians, and diplomats? Journalism is not supposed to echo government talking points—it is supposed to hold power to account, especially in wartime.
What Needs to Change
The Press Council of India, the News Broadcasting & Digital Standards Authority (NBDSA), and civil society must take stronger action against media outlets that violate ethical standards. Viewers too must switch off noise in favor of news. The Indian media must remember that its loyalty is to truth—not to war, not to government, and certainly not to TRP.
War is not a spectacle. Soldiers are not content. And journalism is not war-mongering.
It is time Indian newsrooms return to their core duty: informing citizens with accuracy, dignity, and humanity.
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