As an old tradition, the police force, to ward off spirits of people who died in accidents or anti-social elements killed in the police jurisdiction, slaughter a chicken or goat on Gatari amavasya and distribute the meat among colleagues as prasad
There is an old tradition in the police force that to ward off spirits of people who died in accidents or those of anti-social elements killed in the jurisdiction of the police station, officers slaughter a chicken or goat on Gatari amavasya and distribute the meat among colleagues as ‘prasad’. But it won’t happen this year.
Police commissioner Arup Patnaik in a special circular sent to 91 police stations across the city has warned subordinates with dire consequences if they are found celebrating Gatari in the police station premises. The personnel will be booked under the provisions of Prevention of Cruelty to Animal Act, Bombay Police Act and Bombay Municipal Act, the circular warns.
The circular, issued on July 22, mentions that most police personnel believe that offering a chicken or goat to supernatural powers in the name of the deceased people in the jurisdiction of the police station offers peace to the souls of the departed.
But many animal rights activists in the city have been opposing the tradition, and the circular has been issued keeping this objection in mind. All senior inspectors in-charge of police stations and crime units have been directed to warn their subordinates about the notice. All the unit in-charges are expected to educate their units about the provisions in these Acts.
Not only the police personnel but many communities in the state celebrate Gatari amavasya a day before the onset of holy month of Shravan, which is begins from July 31.
Since non-veg food and alcohol in is not permitted during Shravan in the Hindu religion, the thrust is on enjoying the stuff on the last day of the ending month.
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