(1) This Act may be called the Gujarat Animals and Birds Sacrifices (Prohibition) Act, 1972.
(2) It extends to the whole of the State of Gujarat.
(3) It shall come into force on such date as the State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint.
2. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires-
(a) "precinets" in relation to a temple includes any Mandap, building and land appertaining to the temple and ordinarily used for any purpose connected with the worship in the temple, whether belonging to the temple or not, and the entire area of land appertaining to the temple on which Jatra or fair is held;
(b) "sacrifice" means the killing or maiming of any animal or bird for the purpose, or with the intention, of propitiating any deity;
(c) "temple" means a place, by whatever designation known, used as a place of public religious worship, and dedicated to, or for the benefit of, or used as of right by, the Hindu community or any section thereof, as a place of public religious worship.
3. No person shall sacrifice or cause to be sacrificed any animal or bird in any temple or its precinets.
4. No person shall-
(a) officiate or offer to officiate at, or
(b) perform or offer to perform, or
(c) serve, assist, or participate, or offer to serve, assist or participate, in, any sacrifice in a temple or its precinets.
5. No person shall knowingly allow any sacrifice to be performed at any place which-
(a) is situated within any temple or its precinets, and
(b) is in his possession or under his control.