Mumbai: Days after the state government directed police to invoke the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against cattle smugglers and illegal slaughterhouses, Mayor Ritu Tawde and other BJP functionaries in the city have asked the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to issue a circular banning goat sacrifices in residential areas during Bakr Eid.
Muslim Leaders Warn of Law and Order Issues
Muslim community leaders cautioned that such a circular could give rise to law and order issues. Earlier this month, BMC had granted permission for religious animal slaughter at more than 100 designated locations across the city. The three-day festival begins on May 28. As of now, there has been no official response to the demand from BMC.
BJP Leaders' Meeting and Demand
Former MP and BJP leader Kirit Somaiya held a meeting with Mayor Ritu Tawde, civic standing committee chairman Prabhakar Shinde, BJP’s leader in BMC Ganesh Khankar, and civic garden committee chairman Hetal Gala. Following the meeting, each of the elected representatives sent a letter to BMC chief Ashwini Bhide, demanding a blanket ban on the slaughter of goats in housing societies and chawls. BMC already has stringent rules in place for religious animal slaughter.
Community Leaders' Response
Qureshi jamats and community leaders called the latest push by BJP functionaries to prevent slaughter even at housing complexes that provide a No Objection Certificate (NOC) a “dog whistle.” Imran Babu Qureshi, national vice-president of All India Jamiatul Quresh, stated, “There has been a norm that housing societies give NOCs, and sacrifice of goats is done with precautions like covering the place of slaughter. This attempt to prevent slaughter even at housing societies which have valid permission is infringing on citizens’ right to celebrate their festivals.” Asif Farooqui, Bandra resident and general secretary of Mumbai Congress, warned that enforcing such a blanket ban could allow anti-social elements to foment trouble. He added, “BMC and police do not have the manpower to peep into every chawl and residential area to check whether animal sacrifice is happening there. How does it disturb outsiders if no society member objects to goat slaughter on the society premises? Miscreants may misuse such a circular.”
Somaiya's Letter to BMC
In a letter addressed to Additional Municipal Commissioner Vipin Sharma, Somaiya said the matter had also been discussed at a joint meeting at Mayor’s Hall on May 21, following which “civic authorities and political representatives had reiterated the need to ensure that animal sacrifice does not take place in residential premises.” Somaiya urged BMC to take necessary action to ensure compliance, citing public health, hygiene, and regulatory enforcement as key considerations.
