Sword-wielding devotees turn the village of Bariyapur near the Indian border into the world’s largest abattoir during the two-day festival when 500,000 animals ranging from buffaloes to rats will have their throats slit. It is truly disgusting that such a primal and disgusting waste of life is allowed to go ahead. These poor animals are herded en mass into holding pens for two days before the festival where they are not fed or watered, and stay there until eventually every single animal either has its throat cut, or head cut off.

We, the undersigned, call on the government of Nepal to ban animal sacrifices and cruel sports. Nepal in the past banned human sacrifice and widow burning.

We request the political leaders of Nepal to do what it takes to stop cruelty against animals in the name of culture or religion.