The Calcutta High Court, in a significant development on February 22, instructed the West Bengal government to reconsider the names of a lioness called ‘Sita’ and a lion named ‘Akbar’ housed together at Bengal Safari Park, as reported by Bar and Bench. Shedding light on the origins of these names, the West Bengal government revealed to the court that the monikers were originally bestowed by the Tripura Zoo administration in 2016 and 2018 respectively, prior to the transfer of these big cats to Bengal Safari Park in Siliguri.
Justice Saugata Bhattacharya, presiding over a one-judge bench, urged the administration to consider assigning new names to the lions to resolve any potential disagreement. Expressing his views on the matter, Justice Bhattacharya highlighted the historical significance and reverence associated with the names ‘Akbar’ and ‘Sita’. He questioned whether anyone would name their own pet after a Hindu God or Muslim Prophet, emphasising the need for sensitivity in naming animals.
The court asserted, “Mr Counsel, will you name your own pet after some Hindu God or Muslim Prophet? I think, if any one of us had been the authority, none of us would have named them Akbar and Sita. Can anyone of us think of naming an animal after Rabindranath Tagore? Sita is worshipped by a larger section of this country. I also oppose naming the lion after Akbar. He was an efficient, successful and secular Mughal Emperor.”
“You could have named it Bijli or something like that. But why give such names of Akbar and Sita,” the Court further questioned.
The court further questioned the state administration regarding the naming process, particularly in light of remarks made by Additional Advocate General (AAG) Debjyoti Choudhary, who clarified that the names were assigned by Tripura Zoo officials, not by the West Bengal administration. Despite this clarification, Justice Bhattacharya emphasised the inappropriateness of naming lions after religious figures or prominent historical personalities.
AAG contended, “My lords, it was done by Tripura, not West Bengal. These animals were born in 2016 and 2018. Till 5 years no one challenged these names but once they came to West Bengal, they started this controversy.”
The judge observed, “I was thinking yesterday night whether an animal can be named after God, mythological character, hero, freedom fighter or even noble laureates? Can a lion be named after Swami Vivekananda or Ramkrishna Paramhans? Can this be done? Though we aren’t considering the issue, think about it. We aren’t talking about the names of the pet animals of an officer of the zoo department. But you are a welfare and a secular State why should you draw a controversy by naming a lion after Sita and Akbar.”
During the proceedings, the judge raised thought-provoking questions about the naming conventions for animals, suggesting that names should avoid associations with revered religious figures or national heroes. AAG Choudhary’s own pets and their names were brought into the discussion, prompting the judge to advocate for prudent naming practices to avoid controversy.
AAG was also questioned about his pets and their names, to which he replied, “Toffy, Tuffle and Theo.”
The judge then pointed out, “Isn’t this prudent naming? Otherwise next day it would appear in newspapers that Mr. AAG’s dogs’ names are after national heroes etc. Nobody can challenge such names. You being the AAG of this court, please set an example and ask your authorities to rename them.”
The court concluded, “Please avoid controversy, ask your officers to rename these animals. Reserve an uncontroversial name. 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.”
In concluding remarks, the court urged the state administration to exercise caution and rename the animals to prevent any potential religious or cultural controversies. The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) had previously approached the court on February 16, objecting to the lioness being named ‘Sita’, arguing that it infringed upon Hindu religious sentiments. The VHP requested the court to direct Bengal Safari Park to promptly rename the animal with a non-religious name, citing concerns over religious freedom and respect.
The court’s directive underscores the importance of cultural sensitivity and respect for religious sentiments in naming practices, especially in public institutions such as wildlife parks.
The controversy erupted following the transfer of the two big cats from Tripura’s Sepahijala Zoo as part of an animal exchange program on February 12.
In a writ petition filed on Friday (February 16), the VHP condemned the names as “irrational,” “illogical,” and “tantamount to blasphemy,” asserting that they offended religious sentiments. The hearing is scheduled for February 20 before Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya.
The issue gained traction on social media, with trolls and memes ridiculing the petition that reached the Calcutta High Court regarding the Muslim-Hindu names given to lions brought to Bengal. Some comments mockingly suggest that Sita is restless in search of a partner or imply that she is pregnant with Akbar.
Comments