Maharashtra livestock commission asks animal markets to close during Bakri Eid week

Ahead of the Muslim festival of Bakri Eid on June 7, the Maharashtra Goseva Ayog, a commission set up for cattle welfare, has livestock markets in the state not to operate between June 3 and June 8, The Indian Express reported on Sunday.

Bakri Eid, also known as Eid-al-Adha, is a Muslim festival that commemorates the spirit of sacrifice. The festival entails the slaughtering of goats.

The Maharashtra Goseva Ayog issued a circular to Agriculture Produce Market Committees on May 27, stating that no livestock markets should be held in any district between June 3 and June 8 to ensure that no illegal slaughter of bovines takes place, the newspaper reported.

It asked the market committees to “stay vigilant” in the matter, according to The Indian Express. The circular also cited the Maharashtra Animal Preservation Act, which prohibits the slaughter of bovine animals.

Shekhar Mundada, the chairperson of the Maharashtra Goseva Ayog, said that the purpose of the circular was to minimise the possibility of cow slaughter.

“During the days preceding Eid, a lot of animal transactions – including for slaughter – are carried out with the intent of sacrificing the animals,” The Indian Express quoted Mundada as saying. “We only want to stop this from occurring.”

The halt on the sale of other animals was only for one week, Mundada said,...