Ulemas back Home Minister's plea to avoid cow sacrifice

Hyderabad: Welcoming the appeal made by Home Minister Mohammed Mahmood Ali, asking Muslims to avoid sacrificing prohibited cattle (cows) on Eid-ul-Azha festival to be celebrated in August, the religious leaders and luminaries, urged the government to set up government counters towards selling permitted animals to diffuse any controversy.

On Wednesday, Home Minister issued a statement requesting the community to follow norms and not to hurt religious sentiments of fellow citizens. This prompted some of the Ulemas and religious heads to react over the matter who felt that the Home Minister should facilitate smooth conduct of the festivities this year.

Following some right wing groups making their point over possibility of slaughtering of cows by approaching the Telangana police and potential trouble from vigilante groups on the eve of Bakrid, Ulemas felt that through distribution of proper channel the community will not only able to celebrate the festival without any hitch and also would help maintain the communal harmony on this eve.

"Asking people to avoid sacrificing prohibited animals in the absence of proper alternative arrangements, only creates misconception and panic among the community," said Moulana Syed Taraq Quadri, General Secretary, Soofi Academy.Also, the sale of cattle through government sponsored counter at the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha could at least yield high profit for the exchequer, he contended.

Due to so-called 'cow vigilantes' or 'gau rakshaks', the illegal detention of animal traders -- who transport only legally permitted animals and not cows -- has disturbed the communal situation in the past. "The sale counters would help state government to bundle out the controversy that arises out of transportation of prohibited animals.," said Syed Hamid Hussain Shuttary, president, Sunny Ulama Board.

Moulana Abdul Quddus Ghori said, "The government through its sponsored counters could be able to sell the permitted and protected cattle wherein people could purchase the animal with full satisfaction. This may also prevent the loot of middlemen who often sell the animals at steep prices taking advantage of the festive season," he added.