Photo courtesy of The Indian Express
Lucknow: Authorities in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal district on Tuesday have banned slaughtering of animals in public places during the Muslim festival of Bakri Eid.
Bakri Eid, also known as Eid-al-Adha, will be celebrated on June 7 commemorating the spirit of sacrifice involving slaughtering of goats, Scroll reported.
Authorities have warned of strict action in the event of any attempt to ‘disturb public order’.
A peace committee with representatives from localities holding Eid prayers met to discuss arraignments for festival in Sambhal.
District Magistrate Rajender Pensiya told reporters that sacrifices would be allowed only at 19 pre-identified sites, not any public or open space, news agency PTI reported.
Announcing preventive action against 950 persons, Pensiya said ‘Any attempt to breach the peace will be met with strict legal action’.
Warning against uploading videos of animal sacrifice on social media, the district magistrate said that religious leaders were asked to finish sacrificial rituals before 3 pm between June 7 and June 9.
Sambhal witnessed violence on November 24 after a group of Muslims opposed survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid in Chandausi town after a trial court ordered it. Five persons were killed in the violence during the survey.
It all began after a lawsuit claimed that the mosque, built in 1526 by Mughal ruler Babar, was on the site of Shri Hari Har Temple dedicated to Lord Kalki.
Authorities issued similar order in the district in March banning prayers on streets and rooftops for the Muslim festival of Eid-ul-Fitr, which marks the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramzan.