Lions Akbar and Sita in same zoo enclosure, Bengal VHP moves court

The Bengal Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has moved the circuit bench of the Calcutta High Court over the name of one of two lions brought to the state from Tripura.

On February 12, two lions were brought from Tripura's Sepahijala Zoological Park to the Bengal Safari Park in Siliguri. One of the lions, who is seven years old was named Akbar and the other lion, who is six years old was named Sita.

However, the VHP did not approve of the names and they said that Akbar's companion cannot be Sita. Akbar is the name of a Mughal emperor and Sita is the wife of Hindu go Ram.

VHP district chief Dulal Chandra Ray to The Wire that such naming of lions is an attack on the Hindu religion. Ray also said, "The lioness which was brought to the Bengal Safari Park has been named Sita. This has hurt the Hindu religion. We are strongly opposed to such a name and have thus come to the court to seek recourse."

This case will be heard in court on February 20.

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