Suhail Khan
Mixed responses are seen in Kashmir after government called for a ban on slaughter of cows, calves, camels on the occasion of forthcoming Eid-ul-Adha in J&K.
People in Union Territory allege that this (ban) is a direct interference into the religious affairs.
Earlier, in an official order directed the UT administration to take all preventive measures as per the provisions of acts & rules referred for implementation of the animal welfare laws, to stop illegal killing of animals & to take stringent action against the offenders violating animal welfare laws.
Talking to Kashmir Despatch, several ulemas of Kashmir said that an Ulema meeting will be held on this issue and a joint statement will be given to media.
“The ban on slaughtering of cow, camel is a direct interference our religious affairs. This order is nothing but a part of curbing religious freedom of Muslims. The slaughtering of animals is sunnah of Ibrahim, the prophet and the central government putting a ban on it is unjustified,” said a student Tuaqeer Ahmad.
The order has become the biggest topic of conversation on the Kashmir street and people interpreting it in different ways.
An elderly man selling the sacrificial animals on the outskirts of Srinagar alleged that the order from central is a direct attack on religion.
“Even if JK administration implements the beef ban, it won’t be acceptable in Muslim majority of Kashmir. We as Muslims don’t interfere in other religions then how can anyone else interfere in our religion. They can’t ban us to enjoy halal food,” he added.
In a statement, the constituent members of the Muttahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU) Jammu and Kashmir, headed by incarcerated Mirwaiz Moulvi Umar Farooq Friday expressed strong resentment against the government’s ban on sacrifice of bovine animals on the occasion of Eid-ul-Adha.
The joint statement issued by MMU said that it is surprised that sacrifice of bovine animals on the religious occasion of Eid is being termed “illegal” and disallowed under the garb of prevention of cruelty to animals Act.
“It is an important tenet of religion on this day, and a duty upon persons on whom it is obligatory. A Muslim indeed has to refrain from any kind of negligence in performing this act of worship. So why are Muslims being restricted by the Government in performing their religious obligation? MMU asked.
MMU said that government should desist from issuing such arbitrary orders that are unacceptable to the Muslims of the state as they directly infringe upon their religious freedom and their personal law, causing them great anguish.
The amalgam urged the government to immediately revoke this arbitrary and discriminatory order and let the people of kashmir celebrate Eid in keeping with its religious obligations and the spirit of the festival.
