Cattle traders in maharashtra to launch boycott amid ‘harassment’

Cattle traders in maharashtra to launch boycott amid ‘harassment’

Members of the Muslim Qureshi community condemn the violent attacks on cattle transporters by gau rakshaks; community body has announced an indefinite trade boycott from today, has also met the DGP seeking police protection.

Mohammed Sufiyan, 25, a licensed cattle trader in Washim district of Maharashtra, says he was shocked when his buffaloes were detained by “gau rakshaks (cow vigilantes) with the help of the local police” in May, while being shifted from Badnera in Amravati district to Washim.

“I received a court order and paid ₹65,000 as khavati [maintenance payment for animals in custody], but I am yet to get my buffaloes back,” says Mr. Sufiyan, adding that cow vigilantes had obtained a stay order, and a hearing is scheduled in August. Mr. Sufiyan and his father are licensed traders who buy and sell cattle for a living. “I may have to pay more depending on how the August 11 hearing goes. I cannot even think of the loss I have to bear. It makes no sense to continue in this business,” he said.

Mr. Sufiyan is not in the slaughterbusiness, but says he still faces the squeeze. The situation is worse for several other members of the Muslim Qureshi community dealing in buffalo and other bovine meat, be it traders or butchers, who have allegedly been harassed by cow vigilante groups, including members of the Bajrang Dal. The harassment has lasted for over a decade now, they allege.

According to the Maharashtra Animal Preservation (Amendment) Act, 2015, a fitness certificate from a veterinary doctor is required for slaughtering buffaloes, certifying that the buffalo is “unfit” for milking and not pregnant. However, community members say gau rakshak groups “harass them” even though they follow the law.

Condemning the violent attacks on cattle and meat traders and transporters, and the heavy losses and trauma caused by such attacks, members of the Qureshi community have staged protests across Maharashtra. They have also announced an indefinite boycott of cattle trade from Monday. “Some of the traders have already stopped dealing in cattle; however, formally, we are launching a complete boycott in Maharashtra from July 21,” says Shabir Qureshi of the All India Jamiatul Quresh (AIJQ), a traders’ union.

A delegation of the traders’ body also met Minister of State for Home (Urban) Yogesh Kadam and Director-General of Police Rashmi Shukla, seeking protection from the self-proclaimed gau rakshaks. “Both have given us oral assurance that action will be taken as per law,“ claims Abdul Sadiq Qureshi, Vidharba chief of the AIJQ.

In a letter to the DGP on July 2, the AIJQ highlighted “harassment” and “loss of life and property” suffered by those who transport animals within Maharashtra and requested that “police officers” in the respective jurisdictions be directed to remain “extra-vigilant and control harassment” of the community. The community also says atrocities had increased after the Maharashtra Animal Preservation Act, 1976 was amended in March 2015, prohibiting the slaughter of cows, bulls, oxen, and bullocks.

Citing the amended law, AIJQ president Mohammed Arif Chowdhary said in the letter, “Under Section 5A of the said Act, there is no restriction for transport of animals such as goats, sheep, buffaloes and other bovines within the State, including for purposes of being butchered.”

Some of the Qureshi community’s demands include protection for legal animal traders; the prohibition of illegal interference and harassment; accountability for inaction of the police and administration; ensuring smooth operation of slaughter houses; and ending violence against the community on religious grounds.

“The boycott will impact all farmers as they depend on the Qureshi community to sell aged animals and buy new ones,” says Amravati-based trader Shaikh Afsar, adding buying and selling cattle is part of the farming ecosystem.