THE KERALA ANIMALS AND BIRDS SACRIFICES PROHIBITION ACT, 1968

THE KERALA ANIMALS AND BIRDS SACRIFICES  PROHIBITION ACT, 1968 

(ACT 20 of 1968)

CONTENTS

Preamble.

Sections:

1. Short title and extent.

2. Definitions.

3. Sacrifice of animals and birds in temples or its precincts prohibited.

4. Officiating at sacrifice, etc., prohibited.

5. Temple or its precincts not to be allowed to be used for sacrifice.

6. Penalties.

7. Inquiry and trial.

8. Repeal.

******



THE KERALA ANIMALS AND BIRDS SACRIFICES  PROHIBITION ACT, 1968* 

ACT  20 of 1968 

An Act to consolidate and amend the laws relating to prohibition of the sacrifice of animals and 
birds in or in the precincts of Hindu temples in the State of Kerala.

Preamble.— WHEREAS it  is  expedient  to  consolidate  and  amend  the  laws  relating  to
prohibition of the sacrifice of animals and birds in or in the precincts of Hindu temples in the
State of Kerala ;

BE it enacted in the Nineteenth Year of the Republic of India as follows:—

1.  Short title and extent.—(1) This Act may be called the Kerala Animals and Birds Sacrifices
Prohibition Act, 1968.

(2) It extends to the whole of the State of Kerala.

2.  Definitions.—In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,—

(a)  “precincts”, in relation to a temple, includes all lands and buildings near a temple,
whether belonging to the temple or not, which are ordinarily used for purposes connected with
the worship conducted inside the temple or outside, and in particular the mandapams, prakarams,
back-yards  front-yards and foot-yards  of the temple,  by whatever  name called,  and also the
ground on which the temple car ordinarily stands;

(b)  “sacrifice” means the killing or maiming of any animal or bird for the purpose, or with
the intention, of propitiating any deity ;

(c)  “temple” means a place by whatever designation known, used as a place of public
religious worship,  and dedicated to,  or for the benefit  of,  or used as of right  by,  the Hindu
community or any section thereof, as a place of public religious worship.

3.  Sacrifice of animals and birds in temples or its precincts prohibited.— No person shall
sacrifice any animal or bird in any temple or its precincts.

4.  Officiating at sacrifice, etc., prohibited.— No person shall—

(a)  officiate or offer to officiate at, or

(b)  perform or offer to perform, or

(c)  serve, assist, or participate, or offer to serve, assist or participate, in any sacrifice in a
temple or its precincts.

* Published in the Kerala Gazette Extraordinary No. 226 dated 17th  September, 1968.



5.  Temple or its  precincts not to be allowed to be used for sacrifice.—  No person shall
knowingly allow any sacrifice to be performed at any place which—

(a)  is situated within any temple or its precincts, and

(b)  is in his possession or under his control.

6.  Penalties.— (1) Whoever contravenes the provisions of section 3 shall be punishable with
fine which may extend to three hundred rupees.

(2)  Whoever contravenes the provisions of section 4 shall be punishable with fine which
may extend to three hundred rupees:

Provided that if the offender is an officer, servant, authority, trustee or priest of the
temple or the holder of any office in receipt of emoluments or prequisites for the performance of
any service in the temple, he shall be punishable with simple imprisonment for a term which
may extend to three months, or with fine which may extend to three hundred rupees, or with
both.

(3)  Whoever  contravenes  the  provisions  of  section  5  shall  be  punishable  with  simple
imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months, or with fine which may extend to
three hundred rupees, or with both.

7.  Inquiry and trial.— No offence punishable under this Act shall be inquired into or tried by
a court inferior to that of a Magistrate of the first or second class.

8.   Repeal.—The Madras  Animals  and Birds  Sacrifices  Prohibition  Act,  1950 (XXXII of
1950), as in force in the Malabar district referred to in sub-section (2) of section 5 of the States
Reorganisation Act,  1956 (Central  Act 37 of 1956) and the Travancore-Cochin Animals and
Birds Sacrifices Prohibition Act, 1953 (VII of 1953), are hereby repealed.

____