On June 19, a spiritual dialogue program aimed at ending the practice of animal sacrifice was held in Kathmandu through the collaboration of Sneha’s Care and IPFN Nepal. Sneha Shrestha stated, ‘It is ironic that where worship and devotion take place, there is also killing and violence,’ emphasizing that ‘this practice must now come to an end.’ She highlighted the need to reconsider the tradition of animal sacrifice carried out in the name of religion and custom.
The debate on ending animal sacrifice included the participation of various spiritual gurus and public health experts. Public health professional Aruna Upreti described animal sacrifice as a harmful social practice that requires timely change. She remarked, ‘Sati used to be considered a similar harmful custom, but it no longer exists. The sacrificial practice must be abolished in the same way.’
Spiritual guru Ramchandra Bhandari clarified that the true religious meaning of sacrifice is “renunciation.” He explained that religious texts associate sacrifice not with violence but with self-discipline, renunciation, and positive transformation, emphasizing the need to understand the authentic meaning of religious practices.
The participating spiritual leaders expressed that religious communities should play a leading role in strengthening a culture of respect for living beings, compassion, and non-violence in society. They stressed the importance of interpreting religious beliefs and cultural practices in a contemporary context by prioritizing humanity, tolerance, and animal-friendly values.
