The Calcutta High Court recently denied interim relief in response to a plea requesting a comprehensive ban on the alleged practice of animal sacrifice at Kolkata's Bolla Kali Temple during "Bolla Kali Puja."

Akhil Bharatiya Go Sevak Sangh filed the plea, seeking to halt the alleged animal sacrifices during the puja. In response, the vacation bench, comprising Justices Biswajit Basu and Ajay Kumar Gupta, commented on the contentious nature of whether mythical figures in Hindu tradition were vegetarian or non-vegetarian, as noted in a report by LiveLaw.

The bench noted that religious practices in East India vary significantly from those in North India, making it impractical to impose restrictions on customs that may be considered essential religious practices for some communities, according to the report.

The High Court further observed that enforcing such a restriction would be unfeasible. It stated that interim relief could not be granted without a thorough examination of the case. The matter is scheduled for further hearing after the Diwali break before a regular bench, while the Bolla Kali Puja remains set for Friday.

A similar plea was filed last year in the High Court, challenging the alleged sacrifice of 10,000 goats at the Kali Temple during Bolla Kali Puja. At the time, a bench led by Chief Justice TS Sivagananam declined an interim stay but agreed to examine the broader issue of the legality of animal sacrifice in West Bengal, according to the report. Bolla village, located 20 km from Balurghat town on the Balurghat-Malda Highway, is home to a historic temple where devotees worship the Hindu goddess Maa Kali.

The main Kali Puja is celebrated every Friday following Rash Purnima. A large number of devotees from across the South Dinajpur district gather at the temple for the Puja to offer prayers. To mark the occasion, the Puja committee organises a three-day fair.