NGO Requests Police to Protect Frogs 'Married Forcibly' in Madhya Pradesh in Order to Appease Rain Gods
The petition which calls the ceremony an "act of cruelty" also requests protection of the frogs as evidence until the trial is over.
Two frogs were married off to appease rain gods in Madhya Pradesh's Chattarpur city earlier this month. The ceremony was also attended by Minister of state for women and child development Lalita Yadav. The Minister told news agency, ANI that the religious practice was for the drought-hit region of Bundelkhand. However, now NGO Scouts and Guides for Animals and Birds has come ahead demanding the release of the frogs.
The animal rights group based in Haryana has lodged a complaint with Madhya Pradesh police, seeking an FIR against Yadav. Activist Naresh Kadyan has sent a petition to the police requesting to confiscate the "forcibly wedded amphibians". The petition which calls the ceremony an "act of cruelty" also requests protection of the frogs as evidence until the trial is over. Stating that the minister's conduct is liable for imprisonment up to three years, he has also requested Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan to "take necessary action"
Similarly, in Uttar Pradesh, two frogs were married for in the hope of an early monsoon in Varanasi. However, these frogs were made of plastic. Marrying off frogs are a common practice in the north of India to please Indra, the god of rain.
The ceremony has references in the Hindu mythology. The ceremony involves a priest performing a hawan (special offering) to solemnise the frogs' marriage. A man and a woman dressed as bride and bridegroom hold the frogs in their hand while the rituals are performed. While people dance to the tunes of drums on the rare occasion. The marriage is followed by a traditional feast for the attendees.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 26, 2018 07:39 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).