Conduct 'qurbani' without hurting people of other faiths: CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: In view of some uncertainty prevailing over animal sacrifices on the occasion of Eid al-Adha tomorrow, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma today clarified that 'qurbani' (sacrifice) of animals can be performed in areas of the state dominated by people professing the Islamic faith, but made an appeal that it should not be done in areas with a mixed population.

The Chief Minister urged the followers of Islam to ensure that they carry out the required rituals without hurting the sentiments of adherents of other religions.

"Each community should celebrate their respective festivals while maintaining peace and harmony in society," Sarma said. Sarma said that while there is an Act in Assam regarding protection of cattle, but he is not keen to enforce it through police action during the time of Eid. "I believe the followers of Islam will heed my appeal," he added.

It may be mentioned that The Assam Cattle Preservation Act, 2021 stipulates: "No person shall directly sell or offer or expose for sale or buy beef products in any form except at places permitted to do so by the competent authority."

Regarding the places where cattle cannot be slaughtered or sold, the Act mentions areas where there is a population of "Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and other non-beef-eating communities or within a radius of 5 kilometres of any temple, xatra or other religious institutions."

Meanwhile, the Gauhati High Court has clarified that while slaughter of animals is permissible on the occasion of Bakrid, it will be subject to provisos contained in the Assam Cattle Preservation Act, 2021 as well the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011.

The court's clarification came on Saturday in response to a PIL filed by one Hifzur Rahman Choudhury, challenging the legality of a letter of the Political (B) Department of Assam whereby it forwarded another letter and appended enclosures from the Animal Welfare Board of India, under the Union Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, to all Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police of the state. The letter was "regarding stopping of illegal killing/sacrifice of cows/calves, camels and other animals and taking action against the offenders for violation of Transport of Animals Rules on the occasion of Bakrid."

While disposing of the PIL today, the court cited standing judgments of the Supreme Court to stress that there was nothing "repugnant" in both the impugned communications.

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