Indian Court Orders Zoo to Rename Lions Over Religious Sensitivities

A court in West Bengal has directed a zoo to change the names of two lions, following complaints from a Hindu group that the names were blasphemous.

A zoo in West Bengal was ordered by a court to rename two lions named after a Hindu goddess and a Mughal emperor, following complaints from the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP).
The lioness was named Sita, after a Hindu deity, and the lion was named Akbar, after a 16th-century Mughal ruler, sparking controversy.
The VHP, linked to India's ruling BJP, argued that naming the lioness after a goddess and planning to keep the lions together was blasphemous and hurt Hindu religious sentiments.
Justice Saugata Bhattacharya suggested avoiding names that could lead to controversy, proposing alternatives like 'Bijli' (lightning).
Critics argue that religious intolerance in India has increased under the current government, with the VHP campaigning against interfaith relationships and promoting the 'Love Jihad' conspiracy theory.