The Madras High Court’s recent order refusing to permit
camel slaughter in Tamil Nadu during the Bakrid festival has evoked
mixed reactions among Islamic outfits and animal rights activists.
Opposing
the verdict, M.H. Jawahirullah, president, Manithaneya Makkal Katchi,
said that the verdict would be challenged in the Supreme Court since it
impinges on the rights of Muslims to practice their faith. “According to
Islam, Muslims can sacrifice a bull, goat or a camel for Bakrid. It is
one of the obligations of Muslims. How can a Muslim, who wants to
sacrifice a camel, be barred from doing it?” he asked, adding “We will
challenge it.”
According to him, the ban contradicts
Article 25 of the Constitution, which states that “all persons are
equally entitled to freedom of conscience and the right freely to
profess, practise and propagate religion.”
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Animal rights activists, meanwhile, claim that the court has a given a
major boost to animal rights by banning camel slaughter. “I am delighted
by the verdict,” said V.C. Chinny Krishna, vice-chairman, Animal
Welfare Board of India.
Stating that rules of Food and Security Act certifies only five types of
animals fit for consumption (bovines, pigs, poultry, sheep/goat and
fish), he said that slaughtering camels is simply illegal. “Also, any
animal that is being killed has to be done so in a slaughter house. When
religious practices contravene the law of the land, the law of the land
must prevail over it,” he said.
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