To ward off virus, priest in Karnataka orders to sacrifice 21 sheep

BELAGAVI: Just days after an FIR was registered over people gathering in huge numbers to attend the funeral of a horse in Maradi village, Belagavi district police have now booked a temple priest for ordering villagers to sacrifice 21 sheep to ward off Covid-19.
Nagappa Kattikar, a priest of Karisiddappa shrine, had directed devotees in Alaknur village, Raibag taluk, to slaughter the sheep to placate the ‘grama devate’ (native goddess), which is a manifestation of goddess Durga. Each of the sheep costs around Rs 17,000.
A video of him delivering the directive was widely shared on social media. Harugeri police have registered a case against Kattikar based on a complaint filed by Soujanaya Prabhakar, a panchayat development officer. The “directive” was issued four days ago when some elderly people approached Kattikar, seeking divine intervention to eradicate Covid-19. The village has seen about 15 fatalities.
Kumar Nayak, a local, said as soon as the request was made Kattikar began “speaking” with Karisiddappa, the local deity, seeking a solution. “He asked the deity if the village had to sacrifice sheep,” Nayak said. “When he asked for the 17th time, the holy leaves (bilvapatra) tied around the neck of the deity idol fell to the ground. After that, he ordered the sacrifice of 21 sheep.” Nayak said villagers have agreed to sacrifice the sheep after the lockdown is lifted.
Soujanya Prabhakar said she filed the complaint after she saw the video. “Many people had gathered at the temple in violation of lockdown rules, so a complaint was filed,” Prabhakar said.