Calves offered for temple face threat by wild animals

After the Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Bill - 2020, was passed by the state government, a number of calves offered to Gavi Ganganathaswamy temple in K R Pet taluk, are facing a threat from wild animals.

The temple is located at the Santhebachahalli forest area. Offering calves to the temple is a custom being followed by the farmers since long. Earlier, only desi breed calves were offered. But, after the Act came into force, other breed calves are also being offered. Some, just abandon them, especially male calves, on the temple premises.

According to a farmer, the male calves are abandoned by the farmers as it consumes one to two litres milk in the morning and evening from the cow, which is not affordable. Besides, the bullocks are not of use to the farmer, as it cannot reproduce.

The temple belongs to Muzrai department. Every year, the offered calves are auctioned by the Tahsildar. The calves are sold on a condition that it should not be sold to slaughter houses.

When the farmers delay transporting the calves, they are killed by wild animals like leopards, which stray from the forest nearby. The skeletons and carcasses of the calves are found at several spots nearby, alleged locals.

A farmer had purchased 20 calves during auction recently. As the members of local outfits (Gau rakshaks) did not allow him to transport them, the calves are being looked after at a Goshaala near the temple.

K R Pet tahsildar K Shivamurthy said, "We don't sell the calves, but we give ownership to farmers through auction. Cases would be registered against those, who try to sell them to slaughter houses."