Minorities

Many Muslims in UP cut cakes instead of sacrificing animals after Yogi’s ‘instructions’

No animal sacrifice in open, no blood in drains, Yogi had said

It is not necessary to sacrifice an animal in Islam, says RSS’ Muslim wing

After Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath instructed police and administration to ensure sacrifice of animals on Bakr-Eid was not done in the open, and that blood and offal is not dumped in open drains, many in Lucknow are reportedly preparing to celebrate by cutting cakes with images of goats.

The ‘instructions’ were issued so that ‘religious sentiments of other communities are not hurt’.

RSS-affiliated outfit Rashtriya Muslim Manch also wants the Muslim community to end the practice of sacrificing animals. It has said it wants Muslims in Uttar Pradesh to cut a cake on Eid instead, drawing the ire of community leaders who asked the Sangh to ‘spare their festivals at least’.

“It is not necessary to sacrifice an animal in Islam… If you show mercy towards all living beings, so will Allah,” said Raja Raees, convenor of the outfit set up in 2002 by the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh, the ideological mentor of the ruling BJP. “Muslims can cut a cake baked in the shape of a goat.”

In a video that shows Police in Uttar Pradesh taking away goats before the Eid to stop Muslims from slaughtering them on the festival. The video was shot last year and has gone viral now.

Interestingly, in the village, police also reportedly has put restrictions on Holi celebrations to stop any possible clashes.

In another viral video, a policeman is seen standing in the Masjid asking the Imam to announce that no sacrifice should be done in the open. The incident comes after Yogi Adityanath’s ‘instructions’ on Eid.

The incidents are not isolated. There is a growing pattern of violence against Muslims in India, and restrictions placed on them practicing their faith.

There has also been a rise in incidents of right-wing groups preventing Muslims from offering namaz in open spaces in Gurugram. Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar had said such congregations should be restricted to mosques or Idgahs rather than public areas.

Earlier this month, three people were arrested on allegations of abusing, assaulting and forcefully shaving off a muslim man’s beard, police had reported to news agency PTI.

In December, 2017, in a horrifying hate-crime, Shambhu Lal Regar, who is in jail in Jodhpur, murdered and then burnt the body of a Muslim labourer, capturing the whole incident in a video.

Regar was honoured with a tableau during Ram Navmi celebrations, and kept making videos from jail.

 

Like this story? Producing quality journalism costs. Make a Donation & help keep our work going. 

Click to comment
To Top