In a major development to the story of lion Akbar and lioness Sita, the West Bengal government on Thursday told the Calcutta High Court that the names were kept by the Zoo authorities in Tripura government and the list of animals tranferred was approved by Centre. The high court had earlier asked the West Bengal government to clarify that if it has named the lioness after hindu goddess Sita.
The counsel appearing for West Bengal placed a list of animals that were exchanged with the Zoo Authorities in Tripura. The counsel also showed that the exchange of animals was approved by the Centre, the Bar and Bench reported.
The Calcutta High Court insisted that the state must avoid controversy and consider renaming the animals. The court also refused West Bengal government's plea to not categorise VHP's petition as a public interest litigation (PIL). And permited VHP to reclassify it's petition PIL.
A bench of Justice Saugata Bhattacharya asked can anyone of us think of naming an animal after Rabindranath Tagore? "None of us would have named them as Akbar and Sita. Sita is worshipped by a larger section of this country." The news portal quoted the judge.
The Judge further suggested that the government keep an uncontroversial name. According to the report the judge also said, "please don't name any animal after a Hindu God, Muslim prophet, Christians, noble laureates, freedom fighters etc. Generally, who are revered and respected, their names shouldn't be given."
West Bengal government said that these animals were born in 2016 and 2018 and noone challenged their names till 5 years. The controversy started after they came to West Bengal.
The judge said that even Akbar is a revered Mughal emperor, not only Sita, I also oppose naming the lion after Akbar. He was an efficient, successful and secular Mughal Emperor.
The court has recognised the petition as PIL and thus the plea will now go in front of PIL bench.