Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar has made several statements saying wildlife protection laws can be amended to accommodate “religious and cultural practices”. Endangered and protected species are already illegally poached, and should not be subjected to further commodification through vague terms like “culture” and “religion”. Even animals caught for supposed worship, like the Cobra for Nag Panchami, are subjected to unimaginable torture. They are de-fanged using stones or hot metallic objects, and their mouths are sewn together, and they only die delayed, painful deaths. The Environment Minister needs to protect wildlife and biodiversity, not justify cruelty in the name of culture and/or religion.