Tripura State Jamiat Ulama-e Hind, one of the oldest organisations of the minority Muslim community of the State, appealed to the BJP-IPFT Government in Tripura to take necessary measures so that the Muslim people can celebrate the coming Eid al-Adha, also called the ‘festival of sacrifice’ without any fear.
Mufti Tayebur Rahman, president of the Tripura State Jamiat Ulama-e Hind speaking to reporters in the premises of central mosque Gedu Mia Masjid here on Sunday, apprehended that this time during the Eid al-Adha, they may not be able to slaughter animals like cow, which is an age-old ritual.
He alleged that after the new BJP-IPFT Government came to power in Tripura, the Muslim people of the State are being targetted for their food habit of consuming beef whereas the Indian Constitution has not put any ban on it.
Rahman further added that a large section of people in Tripura are connected with the business of selling of cow, buffalo, goat, etc., but of late, it has come to notice that if any vehicle is carrying cow, a section of people have continued to stop those vehicles and check it. Due to all these, they are facing loss in their business. “We demand that necessary steps be taken by the Government to stop all these,” said Rahman.
According to the Jamiat Ulama-e Hind leader, the State Government has to take advance measures so that peaceful sacrifices can be done during the Eid al-Adha.
He also alleged that notices are being fetched to their various religious places raising question about the ownership of the land in spite of application by people to the previous Government requesting for allotments of land but during their (Left Front’s) 25-years’ rule they were not allotted the land. However, during that period, no one objected to it as the Muslim people pray there and so, allotment may be provided.
Rahman viewed that food habit is the fundamental right of the Muslim people but a section of people are interfering into it and it should be stopped.
He said, “Inferences are coming in sacrifice of cow slaughter and eating of beef which need to be checked as the Government of India has neither declared cow as its national animal or there is any mention of any ban in the Constitution about eating of beef. Rather there is the mention in the Indian Constitution that food habit is one’s fundamental right. But the interference by a section of people in all these has created trouble in India and Tripura where tribals, non-tribals, Muslims, and Hindus have been living in peace and harmony.”
Rahman also informed that he along with other members of their organisation immediately after the new Government came to power had met the Chief Minister in his official residence and informed him about all these issues and he also had assured of look into the issues.
He also mentioned about a list of spots where the minority people were attacked on the issue of either carrying cattle in vehicles or slaughter of cows and eating of beef.
Rahman also demanded reform in the Wakaf record.
The Muslims across the world celebrate Eid al-Adha by sacrificing animals including cow and celebrate the sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim towards Allah and Allah’s compassion towards him. It is also popularly known as Bakra Eid.