Date:07/11/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/11/07/stories/2009110756652000.htm

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End bull-killing ritual, Maneka urges Pretoria

Johannesburg: On behalf of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals Asia, Animal rights activist Maneka Gandhi appealed to South African President Jacob Zuma for an end to the centuries-old cultural rite in which a bull is killed bare-handed by young men.

The Zulu ritual of Ukweshwama or ‘First Fruits Festival’ is held early in December every year as a thanksgiving practice for bountiful harvests. The practice is not subject to animal rights laws because of its constitutional protection as a cultural practice.

“While I respect culture, this bull-killing ritual causes extreme suffering to an innocent creature and has no place in the modern world,” she wrote, likening the campaign against the practice to the fight against infanticide, female circumcision, foot-binding, bull-fighting, and even slavery. There was no comment from Mr. Zuma’s office on the matter. — PTI