High Court petition challenges pairing of 'Akbar and Sita' from Tripura, sparks Hindu controversy

JALPAIGURI: Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has filed a petition in the Calcutta High Court concerning the names of two lions recently brought from Tripura to Bengal. The lions, named Akbar and Sita have sparked controversy as Akbar shares its name with the Mughal emperor, while Sita is a revered figure from the Hindu epic Ramayana.

According to VHP district chief Dulal Chandra Ray, the naming of the lion as Sita is deemed offensive to Hinduism and an intentional attack on the religion. Ray expressed strong objection to this naming choice, emphasizing that it has prompted the VHP to take legal action.

The lions were relocated from the Sepahijala Zoological Park in Tripura to the Bengal Safari Park in Siliguri on February 12. The VHP's petition names the Forest Department and the Director of Bengal Safari Park as parties. The petition is scheduled to be heard on the 20th of this month.