The festival has prompted numerous protests by animal rights activists and Nepalese Hindus from Hill region.[10][11] In 2009 activists made several attempts to stop the ritual, including Brigitte Bardot and Maneka Gandhi, who wrote to the Nepalese government asking them to stop the killings.[12][13] A government official commented that they would not "interfere in the centuries-old tradition of the Madheshi people."[2] Ram Bahadur Bomjon, claimed by some of his supporters to be the reincarnation of the Buddha, said that he would attempt to stop the sacrifice at the festival, preaching non-violence and offering a blessing at the place.[14][15] His promise prompted the government to send additional forces to prevent any incident.[15]
After the festival, the meat, bones and hides of the animals are sold to companies in India and Nepal.[1]
In October 2014, PFA trustee rustee and HSI consultant Gauri Maulekhi filed a petition against the illegal transportation of animals from India to Nepal for slaughter. After this, The Supreme Court of India passed an interim order directing the Government of India to prevent animals being illegally transported across the border for sacrifice at Gadhimai. The court also asked animal protection groups and others to devise an action plan to ensure the court order is implemented. Animal welfare organization, HSI India's MD, NG Jayasimha visited Nepal to make sure that the ban is being followed. In an interview to Times of India he said, "I am very pleased that we were able to sit down with the Nepali President, Prime Minister and other politicians, to speak up for the hundreds of thousands of innocent animals who are condemned to an utterly unjustified beheading at Gadhimai. We also spoke directly to the Gadhimai temple and the local magistrate, so they can be in no doubt of the overwhelming call for compassion. We sincerely hope that they will act to stop this unnecessary bloodshed.[16]