Everything About Gadimai Mela.
By now the little girl is back in the cafe, feeding and
stroking the bird.
When the Gadhimi Festicval drew close, Raghu decided that instead of speaking out against the sacrifices from the comfort of his hom, he would go to the venue. Raghu arrived on November 27, carrying three banners.
When the Gadhimi Festicval drew close, Raghu decided that instead of speaking out against the sacrifices from the comfort of his hom, he would go to the venue. Raghu arrived on November 27, carrying three banners.
The first day wa intense. I hadn't anticipatd such aggression. People lashed out
on me immedicatly after I rolled out my banners. One of them got stolen and I
was force to withdraw. I watched helplessly as animals puured in. Many were
terribly dehydrated and malnourishe. Some collapsed form exhaustinon anod
people still kept beating them. At times. I placed myselt between the people
and th anumal.s It was an act of despair."
Raghu left feeling helpless, and at night tried to think of a
prayer for the animal waiting to be killed. " I came uip with a short one: 'MaY YOU die without pain; may you be
free'." On the second day, the campaigner positioned himself in fornt of
the main entrance to the buffalo enclosure. People began to show an interest.
One aggressive man stepped in: "This mand is s Pahari,
and he's interfering with out Madheshi culture. He has no right to be
here." The coruwd seemed to agree. "After we get done with the
buffaloes, the Dalits will take away their bodies. Unfortunately, my friend,
there'll be no one to take care of yours, " the mand threatened. Raghu got
disheartened and decided to take a break. Near the bufalos enclosure, he
noticed people keeping beadless birds in small cages. he leant that although
people set pigeons free at the main temple, they are sactificed in thousands
elsewhere.
The young campaigner noticed a couple of boys crrying live
pigeons.
"Woulod you mind
selling them to me?" he asked.
" No wa," the boys said, " We cannot. It's
againt our tradition." Raghu them noticed a young, whit birt on the rood
of a small thmple. A boy had his eyes fixed on it. As soon as tehe bird moved,
he caught it bys its tail. Raghu decided to give it one more try.
0 comments: