The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has taken legal action by filing a petition before the Jalpaiguri Circuit Bench of the Calcutta High Court, alleging that a lioness transferred to Bengal Safari Park from Tripura was named “Sita.” The petition, lodged by VHP’s north Bengal unit, calls for a change in the name, citing concerns over religious sentiments.
Park authorities, however, have refuted the claim, asserting that they did not assign the name “Sita” to the lioness. The controversy arose after two lions, purportedly transferred from Tripura’s Sepahijala Zoological Park on February 12, made their way to Bengal Safari Park. The VHP claims that while one lion was named “Akbar,” the lioness was allegedly christened “Sita.”
According to Subhankar Dutta, advocate on record for the petitioner, the matter is scheduled to be heard on February 20 before a single bench of the court. The VHP argues that naming an animal after a religious figure could potentially offend religious sentiments, and it advocates for a prohibition on naming animals after gods and goddesses in any zoological park in the future.
The north Bengal unit of the parishad expressed its concern upon learning from media reports that a lion and lioness, identified by markings as IL26 and IL27, respectively, arrived at Bengal Safari Park as part of an animal exchange program, with the lioness allegedly named “Sita.”
However, the park authorities maintain that they have not officially named the animals, and they await an official designation. The discrepancy underscores the delicate balance between cultural sensitivities and zoological practices, prompting legal intervention to address the contentious issue.
Sources By Agencies