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Despite a Maoist blockade, the Gadhimai darna, organised by Animal Welfare Netw
ork Nepal and Anti-Animal Sacrifice Alliance, drew a large croud. Seven campaigners sat in front of the makeshift stage with their mouths covered with black tape, to illustrate the fact that animals cannot speak for themselves. A play by the Shilpee Theatre Group interacted with the appreciative audience. Some one hundred people added their signature on a piece of white cotton, supporting the banning of animal sacrifice.
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Speakers Pramada Shah, Dr Govinda Tandon, Ram Bamjon, Hari Bansha and Madan Krishna emphasized the suffering of animals by the hand of men, and the
need for social and cultural reforms. Hari Bansha recalled the custom of feeding live animals to wild tigers in Chitwan National Park. 'When a tourist requested to feed corrupt politicians to the tigers instead of innocent animals, the custom was quickly abolished,' Bansha said.
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At the end of the programme oil lamps were lighted by the chief guests and members from the audience, to honour the animals that will be sacrificed.
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