Kolkata, August 2: A lion and a lioness, who were named "Akbar" and "Sita", are now being renamed as "Suraj" and "Tanaya" respectively. The development came after strong oppositions from the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), which had approached the Calcutta High Court, challenging the feline couple's naming, and said that naming the lioness "Sita" after a goddess was blasphemous.

Representing the West Bengal government, Additional Advocate General Joyjit Choudhury on Thursday, August 1, told the High Court that the names "Akbar" and "Sita" were given to the feline couple by Tripura. He also informed that the Bengal forest department had changed the two names. The lion and lioness were brought from Tripura's Sepahijala Zoological Park to Bengal Safari Park in Siliguri in an exchange programme on February 12, 2023. 'Akbar-Sita' Names Row: Tripura Forest Officer Prabin Lal Agrawal Suspended After Controversy Over Names of Zoo Lion and Lioness.

"This case has been disposed of. The grievance was that state government has given that name. We have proved that this is not true. This was given by Tripura authorities. When we came to know about this, the Bengal forest department changed their names so that there is no controversy. The names have been changed and sent to the competent authority. The matter has been disposed of," Choudhury was quoted as saying. 11 Lions in Gir Sanctuary Die Due to Infighting Says Gujarat Forest Department.

The VHP welcomed the decision of changing the names from "Akbar" and "Sita" to "Suraj" and "Tanaya". Speaking to News18, VHP lawyer Sudipto Majumdar said: "No animal should be named after any deity and we raised that point. Whoever has done it has done wrong. We took the said matter before the high court which also found it irregular and disturbing. During hearing, change of name was suggested by the court itself, which has reportedly materialised. Our standpoint has been established and we are happy for that."

Earlier in February, the Calcutta High Court suggested the West Bengal government to change the names of the lions. "Mr Counsel, will you yourself name your own pet after some Hindu God or Muslim Prophet...But why give names such as Akbar and Sita?" Justice Saugata Bhattacharya had remarked.

 

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 02, 2024 06:44 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).