Muslim clerics, Jamiatul Quresh demand strict ban on cattle slaughter,

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Ahead of Bakrid, the All-India Jamiatul Quresh and several Muslim clerics have appealed to community members and the law enforcement machinery to ensure cattle slaughter bans are enforced “in letter and spirit” not just during Eid, but throughout the year. They also demanded a complete ban on beef export companies and recognition of the cow as a national animal.In a joint appeal, the organisation, which represents the cattle and beef trading community, said illegal cattle slaughter should not be seen only through a festival or communal lens, but addressed comprehensively year-round.Senior cleric Iqbal Ahmed Ansari said, “Muslims should strictly follow the law of the land, and avoid slaughter of prohibited animals during Eid. We appeal to the police and the district administrations to take uniform action against illegal cattle transportation and slaughter irrespective of religion or community.”Mohammed Javed Qureshi, the state working president of All-India Jamiatul Quresh, said, “Large-scale illegal diversion of cattle is taking place through organised networks and major beef exporting companies were earning huge profits from animals allegedly procured illegally from local markets and rural areas.”He added that restrictions on cattle slaughter have impacted farmers economically, forcing distress sales to such networks.“The focus always comes on common people during Eid. But the real beneficiaries are large beef export companies making crores through illegal cattle diversion and slaughter. If govt is serious, then strict action and a complete ban should first be imposed on such companies,” said Mohammed Arif Choudhary, Jamiatul’s state president.The clerics and trader representatives also urged Centre to grant the cow national animal status, saying it would send a strong message against illegal slaughter and violence linked to protection of cows.At the same time, Muslim leaders raised concerns over rising incidents of cow vigilantism and alleged harassment of cattle traders, transporters and farmers, urging that self-styled vigilante groups refrain from taking the law into their own hands.“The biggest burden today is on poor farmers. Once cattle grow old, stop giving milk or are no longer useful for tilling and farm work, farmers are left helpless. Govt should purchase such cattle from farmers and create proper shelter and upkeep systems,” said Dr Abdul Rashid Madni, the deputy Ameer-E-Shariat of Marathwada.They added that those claiming to protect cows should instead assist authorities in maintaining abandoned cattle, while flagging the growing stray cattle menace damaging crops and affecting farmers, and called for a long-term government policy on rehabilitation and upkeep.The leaders added that self-proclaimed cow vigilantes who claim to work for cow protection should take responsibility for the upkeep of such abandoned cattle instead of harassing people on roads and markets.They also said stray cattle menace was damaging crops and affecting farmers across several states, making it necessary for governments to evolve a long-term rehabilitation and cattle maintenance policy.