Politician sacrifices goats, buffaloes

[Dr. Whiplash]

A lawmaker in northeastern India sacrificed more than 200 goats and four buffaloes at a temple to thank a goddess for delivering victory to the prime minister's government last week. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh survived a confidence vote after weeks of political uncertainty that nearly toppled the government.

Since then, Kishor Samrite of the Samajwadi party has been participating in rituals at the 16th-century Kamakhya temple in Gauhati.

The sacrifices have sparked controversy as animal rights activists have held street demonstrations near the temple protesting Samrite's prayer ceremonies.

"Animals cannot just be sacrificed for the interest of political leaders," said Sangeeta Goswami, head of the Assam chapter of the activist group, People for Animals. "It is strange when India talks of progress in science and technology and is clamping down on child marriages, it is allowing animal sacrifices in temples."