Kerala High Court Allows Family To Continue Conventional Practise Of Offering Cooked Meat To Goddess In Private Family Temple

Justice Devan Ramachandran observed that “Until which time, though this Court is not interdicting Ext.P5, conventional offering of cooked meat will not stand restricted”. Ext. P5 order was issued by the Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) prohibiting this ritual.

While granting interim protection to the family, the Court directed thus:

“The 4th respondent – Station House Officer will ensure that law and order is maintained through out the festival, without any action contrary to law, being allowed from any person, including the parties to this case.”

The plea averred that every year, on three days a festival was conducted called 'Thira Maholsavam' where a cooked roster was offered to their family goddess. They stated that this was their custom from time immemorial, at least for more than 500 years.

They submitted that it was their practice to consume the cooked rooster after offering it to the goddess. It was alleged that the 3^rd respondent family member had been filing frivolous complaints and a prohibition order (Exhibit P5) was issued against them by the RDO. Aggrieved by this order, the petitioner had approached the High Court.

The plea further stated that the rooster was a domestic animal and no permission was required to consume it. The petitioner averred that it was their right under Article 25 of the Constitution of India to freely profess, practice, and propagate their religion. It was also submitted that there were no laws prohibiting offerings of domesticated animals inside the house.

The plea further stated that offering the cooked roster was not violative of the Prevention of Cruelty To Animals Act and Kerala Animals and Birds Sacrifices Prohibition Act since this is a case where the cooked roster was offered to the goddess as a ritual inside their private family temple.

The plea has been moved by Advocate S K Adhithyan, Reuben Charly.

Case title: Pushpalatha P v District Collector & Ors

Case number: WP(C) 1702/2024

Click Here To Read/Download The Interim Order